Nevada agencies wait for details of Obama immigration order

CARSON CITY - In the wake of President Barack Obama's announcement last week, illegal immigrants weren't rushing to state offices Monday in search of driver's licenses, state scholarships or other aid.

If they had been, there's little new that the agencies could have done for them. But officials say certain services already are being provided.

No state agency has been given any details of Friday's immigration order, which could affect thousands of Nevada immigrants. As of Monday night, these details had not been posted on the White House website.

Some state agencies, such as the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, already provide some aid to illegal residents and probably would not be affected even when the details are formally released.

George Tzamaras, a spokesman for the American Immigration Lawyers in Nashville, Tenn., said details will be released within 30 to 60 days by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

But he also said that some affected people already have been asked by scammers to pay $700 by groups that would place them "first in line" once the details are announced. Hispanic advocates reported similar scam attempts in Nevada, where illegal residents make up 6.8 percent of the population.

"There is no first in line," Tzamaras said. "No one affected should do anything at this time."

Winners of Nevada's $10,000 Millennium Scholarships must sign affidavits that they are citizens, legal immigrants or will file for legal immigration status as soon as possible. During the 2007 session, the Higher Education System of Nevada estimated that fewer than 100 illegal residents would qualify for the scholarship.

Some state college and university loans and grants are awarded to illegal residents. But federal grants and scholarships require citizenship and applicants must have Social Security cards.

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation allows anyone to use its Job Connect employment offices. It is the responsibility of employers to make sure they don't hire illegal residents.

"We don't stop them from looking for a job now anyway," said Mae Worthey, spokeswoman for the employment department.

The Department of Motor Vehicles requires drivers to show birth certificates and other proofs of citizenship before they can secure licenses. Unless they have a green card or another form of federal documentation allowing them to remain in the United States, the DMV would not grant the children of illegal immigrants any driver's licenses.

"We would insist on proof from the federal government before we give them licenses," DMV spokesman Kevin Malone said.

Under state law, Medicaid, Welfare and food stamps are given only to citizens or people with a legal right to stay in the state. The head of the household must show documentation that all members of the family are eligible for the benefits.

Whether the new policy will affect these requirements is not known at this time.

Under Obama's announcement, the limited citizenship rights would be given to illegal immigrants under age 30 who were brought into the United States before they were 16. They would have to be high school graduates, or people entering or in the military, and have no felony crime records.

Worthey said it is unknown how many children of illegal residents of Nevada will be allowed to seek jobs under the order or whether it will increase the state's highest-in-the-nation 11.6 percent unemployment rate.

Homeland Security estimated 800,000 of the 11.5 million illegal immigrants in the country would qualify for the executive order protections. Nevada has 183,000 illegal immigrants, according to the agency. That would mean about 12,600 people in Nevada could be affected by the executive order and be allowed to work.

But Worthey said it is unknown how many are 17 and older, ages when they could be working.

Review-Journal writer Laura Myers contributed to this report.