AUSTIN, Minn. (KTTC) -- Action taken by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security is now opening jobs options to the children of illegal immigrants. Starting Wednesday, applications for work permits and deferred deportation are now being accepted.
The children of undocumented workers have been dealing with the stress of going through the proper channels to become citizens. Now, with this new application option, the process is getting a little easier.
Through paperwork filled out with the Department of Homeland Security, those that were brought into the country illegally as children can now file for a work permit and get deportation held off for two more years, giving them more time to go through the citizenship process.
It is this action taken by the White House that has many across the country, and staff at the Multicultural Center at Riverland College, excited about the future.
"They want to be sure they have the right documentation, the right information and the right person to help them fill it out. It's amazing," said Miguel Garate, minority student advisor with Riverland Community College. "It's a great day for our community, for students and for families."
Applicants must prove they arrived in the United States before turning 16, they are 30 years or younger, have been living here for at least five years and are in school, graduated, or are in the military.
Garate recommends getting the proper legal advice before rushing through the application, but says his phone was busy all day Wednesday and the process is cause for excitement in the surrounding communities.
