Lighthouse Point, Florida – As the August 15, 2012 implementation date of the new “DREAM” regulations for Deferred Action for Child Arrivals approaches, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced preliminary information concerning the process. Applicants, including individuals already in removal proceedings, individuals with final orders of removal, and individuals who have had no contact with USCIS, will be able to file for deferred action on or after August 15, 2012.
USCIS has announced the following procedures:
- A form will be made available that has been created specifically for the purpose of submitting requests for deferral;
- Applications should not be submitted before August 15, 2012. Early submissions will be rejected;
- The application form should be mailed with an application for an employment authorization document and all applicable fees; and
- Applicants will be required to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints, and will have to undergo a background check.
As had previously been announced, individuals will be considered qualified for deferral if they (1) are at least sixteen years old, but no older than thirty, (2) have been brought to the U.S. before they were sixteen, (3) have lived in the U.S. for at least the five continuous years before their application, and (4) be currently enrolled in school, have graduated from high school, received a G.E.D., or have been honorably discharged from the armed forces. Potential applicants convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor, convicted of multiple misdemeanors, or who pose some other threat to national security will be ineligible.
USCIS cautioned that potential applicants should be aware that there are likely to be people or organizations that will attempt immigration scams, and urged applicants to retain qualified attorneys if they seek assistance with their applications. Law Partners Marc Wites and Marc Wites of Wites & Rogers, confirmed that their firm is ready to assist eligible individuals with processing their applications.
