An estimated 5,000 illegal immigrants in Kansas could be eligible for a new program put into place Wednesday by President Obama that allows children brought to the U.S. by their parents a temporary reprieve from deportation.
Illegal immigrants under the age of 30 are eligible if they were brought to the U.S. before they were 16, lived here for at least 5 years and have no serious criminal record.
The program allows them to receive work permits and stay in the U.S. for two years without concerns over deportation.
Around a million illegal immigrants nationwide are expected to apply for the program.