Starting Wednesday, August 15, 2012, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will make the application for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA,) available for those who qualify.
Better known as “Deferred Action,” the program is a new American immigrant relief process for young undocumented students, which will give them the opportunity to obtain immigration benefits according to the executive order issued by President Barack Obama last June.
Applying for the deferred action will have a cost of $465 and it will grant a halt to deportation processes for those who arrived in the US as children and do not have felonies. It will also grant them a work permit.
Aspirants should apply on or after Aug. 15; as those who apply before this date will be denied. You are eligible if:
• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
• Came to the United States before reaching their 16th birthday;
• Have continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
• Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
• Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or their lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the U.S.; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
The expected number of applicants nationwide is estimated to reach 1.4 million, of which about 412,000 are from California.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and its statewide youth branch, the California Dream Network, will be assisting young immigrants and their families in applying for the deferred action.
For more information you can call (213) 353-1789 or visit CHIRLA, Seize the Dream Center, at 2533 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90057 (parking in rear through alley.)
Also, the application form will be available for a free download commencing August 15, at www.uscis.gov.
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