Young immigrants blame high fees as deportation deferral applications drop dramatically

What a shame, if the fees cause the immigrants to pass up the chance to apply and they don't get the guarantee they won't be deported.   - - Donna Poisl

By Arturo Garcia

Interest in the two-year deferred-deportation program has flagged heavily in recent months, with some immigrants pointing to high application fees as an obstacle to taking part.

Univision News reported on Monday that applications to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative have decreased steadily (PDF) since October 2012, when 117,213 application were turned in, to just 16,778 for the month of March 2013. Overall, 469,530 applications have been turned in for the program, meaning that about 25 percent of DACA-eligible immigrants have attempted to take part in it.

The program, instituted by President Barack Obama in June 2012, was seen as a salve to younger immigrants who were in danger of being deported after the failure of the DREAM Act. It is open to applicants under 30 who were brought to the U.S. before their 16th birthday and requires a $465 fee, on top of legal and scholastic guidelines.
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