DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, allows a path to U.S. work authorization for certain illegal aliens who came to our country as minors. Specifically, it orders U.S. Customs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to defer deportation of illegal immigrants who meet certain DACA application requirements. After deferred action has been granted for two years, immigrants are eligible to seek work authorization and gain employment in the United States.
In order to qualify for deferred action, these DACA application requirements must be met:
· You must have entered the country before the age of 16.
· You must have been physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, when the law was enacted.
· You must have been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
· You must have resided in the U.S. contiguously since June 15, 2007.
· You must have entered the U.S. without inspection, or your status must have expired by June 15, 2012.
· You must have graduated from a U.S. high school, have obtained your GED, or be enrolled in a program of higher education .
· You must not have been convicted of a felony, “significant” misdemeanor, or three misdemeanors total.
· You must not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Once you have met these initial DACA application requirements, any removal action against you may be deferred for up to two years. You may then file to renew and begin to seek authorization to work in the U.S.
Did you come to the U.S. as a minor and are now looking for a pathway to work authorization? DACA may be your answer. Contact the Davis Law Firm at 800-770-0127 today to see if you meet all the DACA application requirements and to get started.