Obama immigration plan could cost $585 million
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s new plan to grant temporary work permits to many young, illegal immigrants who otherwise could be deported may cost more than $585 million and require hiring hundreds of new federal employees to process more than 1 million anticipated requests, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
The Homeland Security Department plans, marked “not for distribution,” describe steps that immigrants will need to take — including a $465 paperwork fee designed to offset the program’s cost — and how the government will manage it.
Illegal immigrants can request permission to stay in the country under the plan by filing a document, and simultaneously apply for a work permit starting Aug. 15.
Under the new program, which President Barack Obama announced last month, eligible immigrants must have arrived in the U.S. before their 16th birthday, are 30 or younger, have been living here at least five years, are in school or graduated or served in the military.
They would not be granted citizenship.
The internal plans provide the first estimates of costs, how many immigrants were expected to participate and how long it might take for them.
