Lines stretched down the street across the country as Homeland Security began accepting applications for a new program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Undocumented immigrants apply for deportation protectionMore>>
Thousands of young illegal immigrants waited in line on Wednesday for a chance at a better life.
Lines stretched down the street in places like Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles as Homeland Security began accepting applications for a new program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Through the program, people brought into the U.S. as children can apply for work permits and deportation protection for two years.
Officials estimate nearly a million people could take advantage of the program, including thousands in Georgia.
In Atlanta, Armando Barrientos applied for the federal program on Wednesday. The 23-year-old factory supervisor grew up, went to high school and still lives in Cedartown.
Barrientos was recently married. He was brought to Georgia from Mexico at age 7 by his parents.
"I want to support my wife and help support my parents and…try to go back to college and get a degree," said Barrientos.
While the initial paperwork can be handled quickly at immigration law offices, final government decisions on the applications could take several months.
The long lines around the country point to the potential impact of the new program.
Some Republican lawmakers have complained that the president is circumventing Congress in order to score political points.
In a statement to FOX 5, Georgia congressman Phil Gingrey said, "President Obama's announcement earlier this year that he will no longer deport certain illegal immigrants is an election year gimmick that amounts to amnesty and will be implemented at the expense of Georgia's taxpayers."
Dustin Baxter's law firm, Kuck Immigration Partners, is helping Armando Barrientos with his application.
"This is a life-changer for them. They can finally come out of the shadows, they can leave their house – they can not be afraid or live in constant fear of being deported from the United States," said Baxter.
Armando says his long-term goal is to become a teacher and coach.
The feds announced guidelines for the immigration program this week.
Applicants must pay a fee of $465 and provide proof of identity and eligibility.
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Lines stretched down the street across the country as Homeland Security began accepting applications for a new program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
