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Sen. Boxer Backs Obama's Deferred Action Program For Childhood Immigrants

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— California Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer backs a new policy which could impact the lives of almost two million young people living in the United States illegally which goes into effect on Wednesday. Those who qualify may be able to have action on their immigration status deferred for two years.

While some have expressed concern that the program will lead to increased illegal immigration, Senator Boxer said she doesn't believe that will be the case.

"This is a two-year program and it's for people who have been here since they were babies and people who have graduated from high school or have been in the military," said the Senator.

KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:

President Obama introduced the new deferred action status policy earlier this summer that allows non-citizens to remain in the U.S. temporarily and permits those persons to apply for a work permit.

Don Lyster with the National Immigration Law Center in Washington said undocumented immigrants between the ages of 15 and 30, who came to the U.S. before they were 16, have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor or several misdemeanors, and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety, among other specific qualifications can apply for deferred action on their immigration status.

The Obama administration has said the deferred action program is not a path to citizenship.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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