Illegal Fort Myers immigrant looks forward to new immigration policy
FORT MYERS, Fla. - We met Fausto, an undocumented Fort Myers immigrant, back in June. At 15, he found out he was here illegally while trying to apply for a driver's license. Now that dream may become a reality.
Twenty-three-year-old Fausto is on the brink of change.
"That's what keeps me going knowing that now i might have a chance of having a work permit, it makes me happy," said Fausto.
Here illegally, he's called a dreamer, or one of thousands of undocumented Lee County immigrants brought here as children. Now, eligible for a driver's license, work permit and social security card for two years.
"It's two years, it's better than nothing," added Fausto. "At least i can have a chance to accomplish something."
And he has plans.
"If i can drive, i can get a job doing like transporting, taxi, it doesn't matter, as long as i can start low and work my way up, I'm happy," said Fausto.
President Obama announced the immigration initiative in June, called the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, designed for undocumented people who finish high school, have been here for at least five years and are under the age of 31. And they're criminal history must be clean.
Fausto would likely qualify for the program, which lasts two years. But if President Obama is not re-elected, the new administration could revoke the order
"It creates uncertainty," said Ricardo Skerret, an immigration attorney in Fort Myers, who's had hundreds of consultations since the program took effect.. "If a new administration comes in it might
Skerrett says many of his clients worry about that. Another concern are the consequences of immigration fraud.
"If a person applies for this initiative and the person gets denied, that person is exposed to deportation," explained Skerret.
But Fausto's willing to take his chances for a better life.
"I'd just be happy to have a nice decent job," said Fausto. "This could be a whole new life for you?" asked Fox 4 reporter Gabrielle Sarann. "Actually, this could be a whole new start for any immigrant," he replied.
Attorneys say processing applications may initially be delayed with the backlog of
With the flood of initial applications, attorneys say processing them may be delayed. But once filed, you should receive a confirmation of receipt within 24 hours.




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