On June 15, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. agency that oversees all immigration enforcement, announced that certain people who came to the United States as children would be eligible to apply for something known as deferred action, so long as they met other requirements as well. Deferred action means that even if you are in the United States illegally, DHS will not try and deport you and send you home for two years. If you are given deferred action, it will be valid for two years, and you would be eligible to apply to work legally in the United States as well.

There are a few rules that cover whether you are eligible for this new policy. The following list are some of the factors that you need to look at when determining if you would fall under this policy, and our office can help you determine whether or not you have a good case for this type of application.

1. Were you younger than 31 years old on June 15, 2012?
2. Did you come to the United States before you turned 16 years old?
3. Have you resided in the United States since June 15, 2007 and still live here today?
4. Were you in the United States on June 15, 2012? Will you be in the United States when you file your application?
5. Did you enter without having a U.S. immigration officer give you permission?
6. Did you have permission and a legal status, but it expired and you stayed longer?
7. Are you currently in school?
8. Have you graduated, or have you obtained a certificate of completion from a high school in the United States?
9. If you did not finish high school, have you gotten your GED?
10. If you did not finish school, and you also do not have your GED, are you an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or another branch of the Armed Forces?There is one more step, and these answers need to be “No” to be eligible:
11. Have you been convicted of a felony?
12. Have you been convicted of a significant misdemeanor?
13. Have you been convicted of three or more misdemeanors?
14. Do you pose a threat to national security or public safety?

Our firm is prepared to assist individuals who believe they are eligible for the new deferred action explained in this letter. There are many factors that need to be reviewed, to make sure that you fit each specific rule for this program. We can assist with things such as whether you have continuous residence, what documents should be submitted, etc.

We never charge someone to come and talk to us about his or her issues, so there is no risk is calling us. We will do our best to help you apply for this program, but if you are not eligible, we will help you determine what else you may be eligible for, so that you can still apply for legal status in the United States.