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Less Than Half Of Eligible Students Applying For Deferred Action

More than 70,000 undocumented students in Arizona are eligible to apply for the Deferred Action Plan this year. But so far, less than half of the eligible students have applied.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was approved almost two years ago by President Barack Obama in order to grant undocumented students in-state tuition as well as work permits.

Arizona Dream Act Coalition advisor Carmen Cornejo said there are many factors contributing to the lack of applications in Arizona. She cited the cost of the application as a major factor.

"Definitely the lack of funding, $465 is a lot of money for a family with a very limited income," Cornejo said. "And that’s a big deterrent for persons to apply."

There are more than 1 million eligible DACA students in the United States, but only 600,000 students have applied for deferred action.