Illegal Immigrants Who Came to the US as Children Start to Get Official Documents in MA

20 year old Isabel Vargas says this is the day she’s been waiting for.

"I have all my paperwork together! and applying for this, just grabbing the application gave me hope that I do belong in this country.  That I'll be able to contribute.  And it just gave me a sense that I belong here that I've never had in my whole life."

 

Vargas was with a number of other undocumented immigrants meeting at Boston Legal Aid services to get help and advice from immigration lawyers on filling out the forms.  The work permits will essentially allow holders to come out of the shadows; they will be able to get driver’s licenses, open bank accounts, and apply for scholarships for college. Vargas says the permit would change her life.  She was brought here illegally when she was eight, and says she’s been living in a constant state of anxiety:

"A lot of us live with a fear that we are going to get deported if we do any mistake.  For me going to. Being in a car with your friends.  And if they go through a red light or something.  There’s a fear.  There’s a contant fear of getting deported and not being here."

Immigrants who are under the age of 31 and were brought into the country before their 16th birthdays are eligible for the permits.  They will be able to stay in the country legally for two years and work or go to school without fear of deportation.