What is the Dream Act and Deferred Action?

On June 15, 2012 President Obama announced Deferred Action for young people. This affects approximately 800,000 people in the United States. Read below to learn how you qualify and how you can get prepared now so you can apply immediately when US Immigration (USCIS) starts accepting Deferred Action applications.

If you have questions, email us so you don’t make a mistake and can legally live in the U.S.

Deferred Action is temporary relief from being deported and permission to work legally in the United States.

Deferred Action defers the action of removing an individual from immigration prosecution. The individual is not considered in unlawful status in the U.S. They will also be able to work under deferred action.

In 2009 the Dream Act failed to pass and again in 2010. In 2011, Democrats have re-introduced the Bill and it awaits Congressional action.

President Obama stated that the United States will provide “deferred action” for a period of two years and renewable every two years. This will allow Congress to create a more permanent solution. It will stop deportation of these young immigrant children and let them continue to complete their schooling, military service and/or their jobs.

The recent Deferred Action process is very beneficial to you if you qualify. It means:

1. You can work legally in the U.S.
2. You can obtain a Social Security Number
3. You cannot be deported
4. You will can reside in the U.S. for 2 years and then renew.

To qualify you will need to meet the requirements and show appropriate documentation that proves you meet the requirements.

Deferred Action – Why is the U.S. doing this?

President Obama wants to use Department of Homeland Security resource more effectively – to spend time capturing high priority cases. They do not want to catch individuals who were brought to this country through no fault of their own as children, have no records and are a valueable part of our community. Deferred Action allows these young people to stay without fear. President Obama says, “It’s just not right”.

If you meet the following requirements you can qualify for Deferred Action.

Requirements:

1. Arrived in the U.S. under the age of 16
2. Are currently under the age of 30
3. Resided in the U.S. for at least 5 years before June 15, 2012
4. You are currently in the U.S. (as of June 15, 2012)
5. Currently in school, have graduated from high school or obtained a general education development certificate (GED)
6. Or honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or Armed Forces
7. Have not been convicted of a felony offense, significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or pose a threat to national security or public safety

If you want to be approved for the Deferred Action process, get started in these two ways now:

1. Contact us if you have questions.  Click here to contact us

2. Download the Deferred Action Checklist.  This will enable you to obtain all your supporting documents for your application.