Thousands line up for right to work legally in US

By Amy Taxin

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 15 2012 3:55 p.m. MDT

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Casa de Maryland volunteer Nathaly Uribe helps applicants with the documents they need to apply this afternoon for the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at Casa de Maryland in Langley Park, Md. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order Wednesday as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit _ but not a path to citizenship.

Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

Summary

Thousands of young illegal immigrants lined up around the country for their first chance to work legally in America without fear of being deported.

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Thousands of young illegal immigrants lined up around the country for their first chance to work legally in America without fear of being deported.

A new federal program that went into effect Wednesday could affect more than 1 million illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

A crowd of over 13,000 lined up in Chicago. Hundreds waited outside nonprofit offices in Los Angeles for help opening the door to the staples of success in the U.S. — a work permit, and later a Social Security number and driver's license.

High school student Nathaly Uribe (NAHT'-uh-lee oo-REE'-bay) moved from Chile when she was a toddler. The 17-year-old from Glen Burnie, Md., hopes the program will make it easier to get a decent job and help pay for college.

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