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PRESIDENT OBAMA’S DEFERRED ACTION ANNOUNCEMENT

Immigration lawyers around the country welcomed the Administration’s recent announcement that younger immigrants may be eligible for “Deferred Action” and work authorization. The policy will grant qualified immigrants the opportunity to live free from fear of deportation and allow them to work legally. This exciting new development brings hope to immigrants and their families. It is not, however, a permanent fix and does not grant permanent legal status to anyone.
 
To qualify, an individual must:

-have arrived in the U.S. when they were under the age of sixteen;
-have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to June 15, 2012 and have been
present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012;
-currently be in school, have graduated from high school, have a GED, or be an honorably
discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces;
-not have been convicted of a felony offense, a “significant misdemeanor offense,” three or more
non-significant misdemeanors, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety; and
- have been under thirty-one years old on June 15, 2012

The deferred action offer will be available to those in proceedings, those with final removal orders, as well as to those who apply affirmatively.
 
The Administration is not yet accepting applications for this action. Within sixty days – by the middle of August – the Administration expects to issue guidance and information about how eligible individuals can request deferred action and work authorization.