DAPA/DACA
President Obama’s Immigration Announcement
On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced executive actions to address problems in our immigration system including an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the creation of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program.
What is deferred action?
Under deferred action, the government will not place people who meet certain requirements into deportation proceedings. It is sort of like the government saying: “We know you are in the country without permission or lawful immigration status, and we could deport you, but we will postpone any action on deporting you.” It does not mean that a person with an approved deferred action request has legal immigration status, a visa or a green card. And it is not a path to citizenship. However, a person with deferred action is protected from deportation temporarily, and is eligible for a work permit.
What are these programs?
DACA and DAPA are immigration programs that allow those who qualify to stay in the United States and get permission to work for three years.
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Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) Program |
Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program |
Who qualifies? |
To qualify for DAPA, you must:
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Most of the requirements to DACA have not changed, but there are some changes that may allow more people to qualify. Here are the changes to DACA:
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When can I apply? |
The government is not accepting applications now. They expect to begin accepting applications in approximately 180 days (i.e., May 20, 2015). |
If you meet the old criteria for DACA, you can apply now. However, if you qualify for DACA under the new criteria, you will have to wait to apply. USCIS will begin accepting applications under the new criteria in approximately 90 days (i.e., February 18, 2015). |
What steps can I take now? Gather documents to see if you qualify for the program.
Note: It is best to collect documents that have the following information: your name, the date, and show that you were in the United States.
DAPA |
DACA |
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To meet the military service requirement, you must show that you are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or U.S. Armed Forces. |
Proof of Identity: Passport, Birth Certificate, National Identity Document, and other documents. |
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Proof of having lived in the U.S. since January 1, 2010: Rent Receipts or Mortgage Payment Records, Medical Records, Employment Records, Bank Statements, Tax Records, Church Records, School Records, and other documents. |
WARNING! Beware of scams. Get help from a licensed attorney or Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accredited representative. Find legal help at www.adminrelief.org/legalhelp