Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
One of the most significant immigration announcements ever made since the 1980s reforms has to be the “deferred action” policy for the DREAMers. On June 15, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under the Obama administration, took a huge step to provide relief to thousands of undocumented students/youth stranded in the immigration limbo for years.
If you are amongst those young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children after the DREAM Act emerged, DACA presents an excellent opportunity for you.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA permits protection against deportation to qualified individuals (called DREAMers) who came to the U.S. without proper documentation due to their parents’ actions. The Trump administration made efforts to end DACA but received a huge backlash, and the program was reinstated in December 2020 under the Biden administration. Presently, USCIS accepts renewals for those with valid DACA or DACA that expired within the last year.
DACA has already transformed the lives of several hundred thousand people since 2012. It offered DREAMers a chance to make a life in The States and receive the much-deserved recognition as full-fledged Americans. Today, if you can demonstrate your need for work, DACA authorizes you for employment and helps you build a fulfilling career. DACA, once conferred, can last for 2-years, and regular renewals are mandatory to maintain the status.
Remember, when applying for deferred action, it reveals your immigration status. If the authorities decline your application, you can be arrested and even deported. DACA doesn’t offer legal status as that of a Green Card or Naturalization, yet you are protected from an arrest or deportation. DACA simply keeps you in limbo, and you can:
- Obtain work
- Buy a home
- Attend an education institution
- Obtain a driver’s license
To qualify under deferred action, you must satisfy the following criteria:
- Entered the U.S. before 16 years of age
- Not been inspected by customs upon arrival
- Maintained 5-years continuous residency as of June 15, 2012
- Have been physically present in the U.S. as of June 15, 2012
- Currently attending a school or completed high school
- Earned a GED or honorably discharged from the U.S. military
- Not been convicted of a crime
If the above criteria apply to you, it makes you a suitable candidate under DACA. It is best to discuss your case with a DACA attorney and get through this lengthy legal process.
Daniel Albert Law Immigration Attorneys Can Help
DACA can be complicated and frightening for many. Thus, an attorney can help you understand your legal situation and suggest options to protect your way of life with DACA.
Daniel Albert Law Firm understands that everyone has unique immigration goals, and we keep those individual needs in mind to help clients navigate through their DACA applications or renewals.
Reach out to us to schedule a consultation today. You can also get in touch with our experts on 832-930-3059.