Fox's Claim That Obama Administration Is “Selling Amnesty” Is Bogus

Fox Nation is claiming that the Obama administration is “selling amnesty for $465” through a policy that allows some young undocumented immigrants to stay in the country and possibly avoid deportation. In fact, the $465 is the cost of the application process for deferments from deportation; it is not “amnesty” since applicants are not guaranteed approval and the policy does not confer legal status. The policy is simply a temporary reprieve from deportation that allows immigrants to apply to work in the country legally.

On June 15, the Department of Homeland Security announced:

[C]ertain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization.

This policy change predictably led to bogus cries of “amnesty” from the right-wing media. Now, Fox Nation is claiming that the Obama administration is “selling amnesty for $465”:

Of course, Fox Nation's claim isn't true. The website linked to an ABC News blog post stating:

The Department of Homeland Security today announced details of the application and approval process for the DREAM Act-like program, outlining specific eligibility requirements and a $465 fee. It will begin Aug. 15.

A Detroit Free Press article explained that "[t]he total cost for the application process will be $465," but applying for deferment from deportation does not mean it will be granted. As has been explained before, DHS announced that the policy will allow undocumented immigrants who arrived in America as children and meet other eligibility requirements to request “consideration of deferred action” on a “case-by-case basis” starting on August 15.