ST. PAUL (AP) — Thousands of immigrants living in Minnesota illegally are awaiting more details about how to obtain new protection from deportation under President Barack Obama’s executive action. State agencies that administer health, tax and public safety functions are likewise studying the implications.

 

Population profile

Minnesota has a relatively small number of people not authorized to be in the country legally.

Estimates put the population at between 90,000 and 95,000 as of 2012. The Washington, D.C.-based Migration Policy Institute projects that about one-third of them were living with a child who has U.S. citizenship or permanent status, part of the criteria Obama is instituting for granting temporary relief from potential deportation. About 65,000 had lived in the country at least five years, which is another eligibility benchmark.

More than half were born in Mexico. Two-thirds were holding down jobs.

 

Proceeding with caution

Immigration advocacy groups expect some people who could qualify for the relief will remain in the shadows.

While Obama produced an outline of his plan, the technical details will be key. It is expected that applicants will be subject to background checks and will need to supply proof of their living and family status — perhaps through school transcripts, rental records or pay stubs. Not everyone who applies will be approved and those on the edge might fear repercussions from stepping forward.

“There will be people who fit in who don’t decide to do it because of the risk, the uncertainty and because they’re not sure about what will happen after President Obama,” said John Keller, executive director of the Immigration Law Center, a nonprofit that provides legal services to immigrants.

Once Obama leaves office, the next president could reverse course.

 

Role for the state

Enforcement of immigration laws is the federal government’s responsibility, but state services often come into play.

Immigrants living in Minnesota without proper documentation don’t qualify for cash or food assistance in welfare programs, though some household members with legal status can get the benefit.

Unauthorized immigrants aren’t eligible for most subsidized state or federal health programs. Since 1997, Minnesota has provided some public health coverage to pregnant women who are in the state illegally. Any changes to state programs would require legislative approval, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

The Department of Revenue was studying the Obama administration action and planning to consult with Internal Revenue Services about how the program would change the agency’s duties. Some immigrants now working in cash-only jobs could seek more-legitimate employment if their residency status is upgraded.

At the Department of Public Safety, decisions must be made about whether affected immigrants could obtain state driver’s licenses or ID cards. Spokesman Bruce Gordon said “it’s too early to know” what route officials will take.