Work Permits for Illegal Aliens Come Despite High Unemployment

"Immigration lawyers and agencies that work with immigrants are gearing up for what they expect will be a flood of applications next month. Program guidelines will be announced Wednesday, although immigrants can't apply for deferred action until Aug. 15.

"The program, expected to last two years, removes the threat of deportation for young people between 15 and 30 who have no criminal record and can prove they've been in the U.S. at least five years. Those who qualify and can show a need to work will also be granted a work permit and Social Security number," the Seattle Times reports.

"Ira Mehlman, Seattle-based spokesman with the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said these young illegal immigrants will be competing directly for jobs with young Americans and legal residents, a group, he points out, that is already disproportionately unemployed and burdened by debt. 'Until now, the range of jobs available to (illegal immigrants) was limited to those employers willing to violate the law,' Mehlman said. 'Once this takes effect, you could have potentially up to 1 million people competing for any job.'"