Thousands apply to legally work in U.S. - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Thousands apply to legally work in U.S.

There is hope for young illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States by their parents. They have a chance to stay without the fear of deportation for a few years.

"This is my home- this is where I'm going to be," said Giulianna Viera. "This is where I feel at home--I feel safe."

Viera, 17, came to the U.S. from Uruguay with her parents when she was 6.

"My mom tells me all the time that I'm American," she said.

Her family is here illegally. Her parents' work visas ran out, but they stayed and have been living in the shadows in Elizabeth, N.J.

Now there is hope for this future pediatrician. Viera is applying for deferred action. It is a new government program by the Obama administration that blocks deportation proceedings against young illegal immigrants who qualify and gives them work permits.

The application forms can be found at: USCIS.gov

You can apply if you're 30 or younger, arrived in the U.S. before 16, have lived here for at least 5 years, are in school, have graduated, or have served in the military, and have not been convicted of a crime.

The application is on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said this program doesn't grant citizenship like the Dream Act would have if it passed, but it does help.

"Availing ourselves to some of the brightest students in the country makes eminent sense for the nation," Menendez said.

But Gayle Kesselman at New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control sees things differently.

"I think it's an absolute disaster," Kesselman said. "For what reason are we bringing in now they say 1.8 million workers to compete with our own Americans for jobs?"

Some business leaders, including Rupert Murdoch, the founder of News Corp., the parent company of Fox 5 News and MyFoxNY.com, are pushing for immigration reform.

"Give them a path to citizenship," Murdoch said. "They'll pay taxes, they're hard working people, they're everything. Why Mitt Romney doesn't do it I have no idea. Because they're natural Republicans."

If you're accepted into this program, it only protects you from deportation for two years. After the two years, you have to re-apply.

It is important to note: if a new president takes office in January, the program can be nullified.