DEFERRED ACTION / EXECUTIVE ORDERS –
On June 15, 2012, President Obama signed a memo deferring removal for certain undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as a child, and have either: 1)pursued an education; or 2) signed up for military service. This benefit is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Under the new DACA rules, certain qualified immigrants can delay removal for up to two years at a time, even though they are not granted legal status. DACA does not provide citizenship or permanent residence, but those who are granted relief under DACA can become eligible for employment authorization. DACA requests are processed through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applying for DACA To apply for DACA, you must complete the following steps:
Qualifying for DACA To qualify for DACA, you must show:
The application process is complex, and it would be in your best interests to obtain the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney, especially when dealing with documents, declarations, and other evidence. Ms. Torres can instruct you as to which documents will be necessary and useful for the application process. Additionally, if you have a criminal history, failure to obtain the advice and assistance of an experienced criminal attorney can result in being placed in removal proceeding before the immigration court. |