USCIS Releases Helpful Resources on Deferred Action Program

The new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program will allow certain immigrants who came to the United States as children to obtain two-year deferrals of removal proceedings as well as authorization to work legally in the United States. The deferral is not automatic, and potential beneficiaries must apply for the privilege under new procedures to be launched on August 15th by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In preparation for the start of the deferred action program, the USCIS has released some helpful resources to clarify who is eligible for the program and how they can apply. General information is available in a new brochure entitled I Am a Young Person Who Arrived in the United States as Child (Childhood Arrival): How do I…Request Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals? The brochure provides a quick overview of the eligibility criteria and the application process, with links to other web-based resources.

Also available from the USCIS is a simplified flow chart to explain the complexities of the deferred action program, answering two key questions: “Can I be considered?” and “How do I file?” [See “Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.]

Additional guidance on more complex issues can be found in a new frequently-asked-questions section on the USCIS WebSite. [See Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process.]

The USCIS information is helpful, and we commend the agency for its public outreach efforts. That said, the deferred action program is sufficiently complex that potential beneficiaries should consult with qualified legal counsel to ensure that their applications properly addresses the facts of their respective situations. Attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are available to assist people who are potentially eligible for this program. New information on the program will be posted on MurthyDotCom as it becomes available.

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