In 2012, the Obama administration created a discretionary policy allowing deferred action for certain undocumented individuals who came to the United States as children.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), acts to defer removal action against an individual for a period of two years and is subject to renewal. DACA also provides qualified applicants with work authorization.

In order to be qualified, the applicants must meet certain guidelines:
under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
must have come to the United States before reaching his or her 16th birthday;
continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007;
was physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
is currently in school,
have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school,
have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate,
or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
has not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors,
and does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.”

Deferred Action does not provide a direct path to Citizenship and does not afford lawful status.

Contact our law firm today for immediate assistance with your immigration process.