Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security issued new rules to allow DREAM Act eligible young people to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and to apply for work authorization:
"Through this new immigration procedure, the government will no longer deport young people who would have been eligible to stay under the DREAM Act. For these students who came to the United States as children, this is the only country that they know. They have worked hard, gotten good grades, and stayed out of trouble. They want to go to college but can't, because their parents illegally brought them to the United States. It also applies to those who have honorably served this country in the armed services.
"This is an initiative – like the Dream Act – that I support, and will greatly benefit a number of students and service members throughout our community."
The Administration announced earlier today that effective immediately, children who came to the United States illegally before their 16th birthday, graduated from high school or were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, and have not been convicted of a crime, would be eligible for deferred immigration action and eligible to apply for work permits.