On February 18, 2015, the USCIS made a declaration that it is about to start taking applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, under the expanded guidelines proclaimed by the President this past November. In accordance with “DACA II,” an individual who entered the United States on January 1, 2010 at the latest while he or she was under the age of 16 is able to apply for deferred action and a work permit, given that the individual meets all other qualifying criteria.

THE PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE ACTION HAS EXPANDED DACA

The DACA II program is the first of several examples of Obama executive action to be put into practice this year. It now includes people who came to the United states before the age of 16 who have been in the country since the date of January 1, 2010. The period of DACA validity and work authorization has additionally been extended from two to three years.

NEW DACA AGE RESTRICTION

With DACA II, the restriction on age limit specified in the first DACA has been eliminated. The original age restriction took away eligibility from any person who had already turned 31 when the program went into effect. However, DACA II changes the situation so that the age of the applicant when he or she files is irrelevant; now, only the age at which the person first entered the United States matters. It is anticipated that USCIS will be receiving thousands of applications starting on the filing start date of February 18, 2015.

DAPA PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY 2015

More changes are taking place in addition to expansion of the DACA immigration program. Additionally, the Executive Actions are going to be permitting anyone who is a parent of a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident to request deferred action and employment authorization for three years, given that they have been in the United States since at least January 1, 2010, their children were born on November 20, 2014 or earlier, and they have successfully passed the required background checks. This is the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability, or DAPA, immigration program; it is currently scheduled to go into effect in May of 2015.

AVOID “NOTARIOS”!

It is important to avoid so-called “notarios,” who will give people the wrong paperwork. Multiple individuals have told us that these “notarios” had given them faulty documents to fill out. In some cases, the applications are not even the correct applications that will go to the correct places.

ALWAYS WORK WITH A TRUSTWORTHY IMMIGRATION LAWYER

It is important that you choose an attorney who is qualified and whom you can trust to take care of the process properly and correctly. Some attorneys are trying to offer people the applications for DACA and DAPA at low prices, but accepting these offers could hurt you more than help you. Official federal and local organizations would agree on this assertion that a good financial deal does not always produce a desirable outcome. It is always a better choice to work with an immigration attorney who is experienced and qualified so that one can ensure that a DACA application is free of errors before making the submission.

MISTAKES CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT YOUR CASE

The Department of Homeland Security cautions people that working with an individual who lacks the appropriate and necessary qualifications tends to cause problems. Some examples include: delays of the applications, spending more money overall than was necessary, or even deportation in the most extreme cases.

WE ARE READY TO HELP YOU!

The lawyers at Tucker, Nong and Associates are prepared to help you. Anyone can trust this firm to do well in handling your case. We know exactly what to do to prepare you for DACA and can assist you in the process. 

Are You In Need Of An Immigration Attorney In Virgina, Maryland or Washington D.C.?

If you find yourself facing immigration issues you need to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Vienna, Virgnia office directly at 703.991.7978 or our Rockville, Maryland office at 301.637.5392 to schedule your case consultation.

Yuvora Nong
Helping VA, MD & Washington D.C. clients with all of their immigration law legal needs since 1997.
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