The Dream began

Adream is becoming reality as thousands of undocumented young people yesterday began to file for a temporary legal status.

This is neither legal permanent residence (green card) nor a path to citizenship. It is not an under-the-table amnesty, as staunch critics of the policy introduced by the Obama administration have called it.

This is a deferred deportation that brings hundreds of thousands of immigrant students and workers out of the shadows and into the light of day. The policy gives them two years of peace of mind, so they can stay in the country and work without the ongoing threat of deportation.

Contrary to distortions by critics, the program, which is funded through the fees applicants pay, will serve only those immigrants who meet a strict list of requirements. It also includes mechanisms to exclude people with criminal records and prevent fraud.

With opportunity comes scammers. New York agencies have warned the immigrant community to beware of unscrupulous service providers who try to mislead undocumented immigrants with impossible promises they cannot deliver. Get good advice and request references before agreeing to pay any consultant, lawyer or notario.

A number of credible organizations such as the New York Immigration Coalition, Make the Road New York and Legal Services NYC are offering free help throughout the city. For a list of workshops and free legal advice services, visit: http://www.eldiariony.com

This is a historic moment for Dreamers, especially after they experienced the failures of Congress to pass the DREAM Act.

Let’s not lose sight of a long term plan. Deferred action is an emergency measure for one category of undocumented immigrants. Comprehensive immigration reform remains urgent and necessary. Congress must have its act together by the end of those two years and deliver a path to legalization.