A new report by the Center for American Progress takes a nationwide look at the implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, with figures that show Minnesota performing lower than expected.

On June 15, 2012, President Obama signed a memo calling for deferred action for certain undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children and have pursued education or military service here.

DACA doesn't grant permanent residency status or a green card. But it does provide temporary relief from deportation to undocumented youth and work authorization that can be renewed every two years to eligible applicants.

The Center for American Progress analysis shows that a year after its implementation, close to 600,000 people have applied, and more than 430,000 people have received the status.

The report also finds that the program, which could be seen as being a trial run for a larger-scale immigration program, is not reaching all states and all immigrant groups. Mexican immigrants are overrepresented in applications and acceptances. Other groups, particularly Asian immigrants, are underrepresented.

Minnesota is one of 13 states and the District of Columbia that have implementation rates statistically lower than expected. Minnesota had 4,375 applicants as of August, out of an estimated 14,903 who could be eligible.

Among the other findings: Overall, 32.5 percent of all possible applicants have applied. Of those immediately eligible for DACA, 61.2 percent have applied, a remarkable feat in just one year, according to the authors.

The DACA implementation rate among the states varies significantly, from a low of 22 percent of eligible people in Florida to a high of 48.6 percent in Indiana. Nationally, 53.1 percent of the DACA population is immediately eligible.

Mark Brunswick • 612-673-4434