Government Grants Legal Status to 80 Percent of 'Dreamer' Applicants

The Obama administration has approved over 80 percent of applications by young illegal immigrants for legal status in just a year and a half since it started applying new guidelines for "Dreamers," or children brought to the country illegally.

According to figures from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Homeland Security has granted legal status to 474,000 of the 580,000 people who have applied through the program since June 2012, The Washington Free Beacon reports.

"From the start of this administration, the department has worked to fundamentally change how we approach the challenge of building a stronger, more effective, and more just immigration system," said Maria Odom, the ombudsman for USCIS, according to the Beacon.

"While impactful and necessary, these efforts are not a permanent fix, which is why we've also continued to be a strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform," she said.

The Obama administration announced last year that it would not deport "Dreamers" in what amounted to an executive order changing immigration law. Legislation to give citizenship to young illegal immigrants had been voted down by Congress in December 2010, and during the most recent immigration debate in June, the House also voted to block a similar measure after Republicans objected to what they saw as an attempt to selectively enforce immigration policy.

To qualify for legal status under the program, an immigrant must have entered the country before the age of 16 and be younger than 30. In addition, they must have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years, be in school or the military, have a clean criminal record, and not "pose a threat to national security." Those approved under the program receive two-year renewable work permits.

There are approximately 1.4 million immigrants currently in the United States who might meet the requirements of the program, either now or when they are older, according to the Immigration Policy Center.

Last week, President Barack Obama renewed his call for Congress to pass immigration reform legislation, which has already been approved by the Senate, before the end of the year. But Republican leaders in the House have indicated they have no plans to put any immigration bill to a vote in the current session.

Related story:

Bob Goodlatte Backs 'Earned' Citizenship for Young Illegals