Undocumented millennials show stronger ties after DACA

Young people wait in line to enter the office of The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) on August 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California, on the first day of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. US authorities began taking applications for deferred deportations from undocumented immigrants brought here as children, an initiative that could benefit up to 1.7 million people, as long lines of applicants, many who have long feared separation from their families and deportation from the country they've always considered home, formed outside consulates, advocacy offices and law firms.

Although there is a perception that undocumented immigrants tend to overwhelmingly support Democrats, a new survey found that nearly half describe themselves as "independent" or "other."

Undocumented youth have been a force to reckon with in the ongoing immigration debate.

And there are some interesting tidbits about this group, as revealed in a new study out that was commissioned by Unbound Philanthropy and United We Dream, an advocacy organization.

Tom Wong is a political science professor at UC San Diego who conducted the survey. Wong says that although there is a perception that undocumented immigrants tend to overwhelmingly support Democrats, the survey found that nearly half, or 45 percent surveyed, describe themselves as "independent" or "other."

Other key findings:

More than 60 percent say they feel more like they belong to the US after DACA, but more than 70 percent also feel that DACA is "not enough."
Close to 70 percent got a first job or moved to a better job after DACA.
Twenty percent bought their first car after DACA.

The full survey: In Their Own Words: Undocumented Millennials After DACA.