The inconsistency of the enforcement of U.S. immigration rules for law-abiding, undocumented immigrants has unsettled young foreign-born residents. Many are sons and daughters of immigrants who entered the country, but never achieved legal immigration status.

Some New Jersey residents may be interested to hear about a federal directive ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to re-prioritize deportation policies earlier this year. Immigrants with criminal pasts became the focus of deportation investigations. Critics have hammered the policy, saying enforcers' compliance is irregular and the solution is only temporary.

According to the nonprofit Migration Policy Institute, more than 2 million teen or college-age immigrants are in the country illegally. One young man, whose family entered the U.S. from Bangladesh when he was 5-years-old, remembers no other life than the one he has had in America.

Despite qualifying grades, the student's questionable residency status led to a college application denial. The university eventually accepted the application, on the condition that the teen apply as an international student. Federal student aid and scholarships were prohibited.

Graduation presented the new problem of limited work opportunities. Only employers looking for freelance help would hire the skilled IT graduate. The rest could not chance having an undocumented worker on staff.

The college graduate's family spent thousands of dollars to secure the young man's immigration status without success. The family's move back to Bangladesh was planned. A voluntary departure could close the door forever on hopes of living in the U.S.

The case gained the attention of a state senator who is a proponent of the Dream Act proposal. Under the initiative, undocumented young immigrants who go to college or join the armed services could become legal U.S. residents. The proposal is stalled in debate.

With the help of an immigration lawyer, the young man was awarded a stay of removal by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The temporary permit gives the graduate time to adjust his immigration status.

It remains unclear whether any legal action can be taken to extend the graduate's stay or stop a deportation after the permit expires later this year.

Source: CNN, "Despite immigration reforms, many young immigrants still in limbo," Yasmin Amir, Dec. 24, 2011