WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The Department of Homeland Security has begun mailing work permits to young illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children, officials say.
Peter Boogaard, a spokesman for the department, told the Los Angeles Times he is unsure how many immigrants have been approved to remain in the country, at least temporarily, under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Officials say 72,000 applications have already poured in since the program took effect Aug. 15.
Boogaard said every application is receiving a "thorough individualized case review," the newspaper reported Wednesday.
The program allows those who arrived in the country before the age of 16 and are now no older than 31 to remain for at least two years. They must meet education and work requirements.
