Why illegals are nervous about Obama's new DREAM rule

One would think that Karla Zapata, an undocumented student from Guatemala, would be ecstatic over the prospect of her first ever work permit. Well, she is. But she’s also wary. After years of living in the shadows, Zapata and her friends aren’t convinced it’s a good idea to give their personal information to the government when there are no guarantees that President Obama’s new program for young immigrants will last and no promise they’ll be accepted into it in the first place. Some see that ambiguity as an invitation for possible deportation. “A lot of us are happy and a lot of us are concerned at the same time,” says the 26-year-old student at California State University, Northridge. “There are a lot of mixed feelings.”…

Still, much uncertainty surrounds the president’s offer. First, while details on the program released earlier this month helped clarify some doubts about the application process, potential applicants have yet to see the questions they’ll be asked. Second, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says people will be considered for the program if they haven’t been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor and do not otherwise pose a threat. But it’s unclear what officials mean by “significant” and a “threat,” so those who have had run-ins with the law are unsure whether to risk applying. Their hesitation is heightened by the caveat that applicants’ information will be shared with immigration enforcement in cases that involve serious crimes or fraud. Rights groups urge those with questionable cases to consult an attorney, but not everyone can afford one.