DREAM – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Community to Community (C2C), Skagit Immigrant Rights Council (SIRC), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Northwest Immigrant Rights Project , Catholic Community Services and local immigration attorneys have come together to support immigrant youth gain access to the new process of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

President Obama announced that as of June 15, 2012 certain young people brought to the U.S. as children are eligible to request deferred action and may begin applying as of August 15, 2012. The deferred action includes protection from deportation and a work permit for a period of two years with an option to renew.

Click here to start your online application.

The process is new and many questions were answered on Friday August 3rd during a call with USCIS – Homeland Security. For more details on qualifications for deferred action check out NWIRP’s website:  http://www.nwirp.org/

We have already begun seeing fraudulent claims of instant legalization. In an effort to better serve our community we have organized our resources to  provide ongoing informational sessions and legal clinics to families that have youth who they think may qualify. These ongoing sessions will be in Whatcom and Skagit Counties at various locations.

 

You may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals if you:

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;

2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;

3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;

4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;

5. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;

6. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and

7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Individuals may begin to request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals on August 15, 2012.  Individuals can call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 with questions or to request more information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals process or visit www.uscis.gov.

USCIS Information

Northwest Immigrant Project - DREAM information flyer