Undocumented (Illegal Alien) Omahan praises deferred-action program

OMAHA, Neb. -

Millions of illegal immigrants may be allowed to stay in the United States by taking advantage of a presidential program that took effect Wednesday.

The DREAM Act will provide immigrants ages 15 to 30 with temporary residency without fear of deportation.

For the next two years, people who meet the requirements for the DREAM Act can apply for work permits, protecting them from deportation.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Have proof they arrived in the United States before they turned 16.
• Be able to show they have lived here at least five years.
• They must be in school — or a graduate — or have served in the military.
• Being convicted of any serious crimes would make them ineligible.

For people like Alfonso Maldonado, certainty has been hard to come by. The local student, who said he qualifies in every way under the Dream Act, shared his story Wednesday with KETV Newswatch Seven’s Ryan Luby.

“You get nervous when you see a cop,” the 19-year-old said. “It’s just a whole bunch of thoughts in your mind.”

Maldonado is a senior at Omaha South High School and he considers Omaha home, even if he can’t legally prove it. Maldonado was an infant when he arrived illegally with his parents from Mexico.

His future was always uncertain with the fear of deportation a constant companion. On Wednesday, Maldonado along with more than a million in his same situation got some help. They can now apply for deferred action, allowing them to legally obtain a work permit and a driver’s license.

“Yeah, I’m really excited with a big smile,” he said. “It will help so much.”

Read more: http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/Undocumented-Omahan-praises-deferred-action-program/-/9674510/16148352/-/13l19bb/-/index.html#ixzz23oINp6K2