Deferred Action
Deferred Action is policy initiated by the Obama Administration to allow some immigrants to remain in the U.S. who would otherwise be subject to deportation. In 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program went into effect. Also known as DACA, the program allows young people who brought to the U.S. as children to apply for a work permit. The program does not currently allow recipients of DACA work permits to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
Qualifications
You may qualify for DACA if you arrived in the U.S. before turning sixteen (16) years old, were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, have resided in the U.S. continuously since at least June 15, 2007, either have a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) or are currently enrolled in high school or a GED program, and you have not been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor. There are certain other requirements and restrictions. To find out if you qualify for DACA, or if you want to apply for or renew your work permit, please schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
There are other forms of Deferred Action available for adults, such as administrative closure of your removal proceedings and prosecutorial discretion. Also, the Obama Administration may begin offering work permits to those individuals who qualify under a new proposal. To find out whether you may qualify to have your removal deferred or postponed under any current or new policy, please schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. If outside of the United States, a person who has been persecuted or fears future persecution based on the criteria above may apply for refugee status from a U.S. Consulate before coming to the United States. However, the Department of State does not allow immigration lawyers to represent refugees in the U.S. Consulates abroad.