SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- Thousands of young illegal immigrants lined up around the country for their first chance to work legally in America without fear of being deported.

A new federal program that went into effect Wednesday could affect more than 1 million illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

A crowd of over 13,000 lined up in Chicago. Hundreds waited outside nonprofit offices in Los Angeles for help opening the door to the staples of success in the U.S. -- a work permit, and later a Social Security number and driver's license.

High school student Nathaly Uribe moved from Chile when she was a toddler. The 17-year-old from Glen Burnie, Md., hopes the program will make it easier to get a decent job and help pay for college.