outofmxny

I'm new here (a lurker for some time), but have already started my DACA process after a few set backs. I'm a 26 year old currently living in GA. DACA has made me incredibly excited about my future again and good luck to everyone!

Don't give up yet! When your denial letter arrives in the mail, it will list a reason why your application was denied. I know the application fee is hard to come by, but it's worth the investment. Are you a first time applicant or renewing your DACA? With a clean background check, it's likely that they felt like you didn't provide sufficient proof of having been in the US/continuous presence. Post here and you'll get tips and suggestions. Good luck!

Born in Kingston, but left when we were 2. Been here for quite some time lol.

Where are you from? Jamaican here. I just said the same thing to my mother (Wantee wantee...etc) about the EO. And I agree with you, Gezinha. DAPA did not cover some deserving individuals. Be it the number of years of continuous residency, DUIs, or the filing fees. There are always going to be "deserving" people who don't get what they truly deserve. It's a sad, but true, fact of life. And without requirements, you have psychos from the right yelling "Amnesty!" What we have to do at this point, is lobby for a permanent solution and that means trying to get a Democratic House and Senate elected within the next 2 years.

Actually, it's not until age 21 before a USC can petition for a relative. The system has always been about family ties and family unity. Many EWIs are facing a 10 year ban, so it doesn't matter if their children can file for them or not. They would have to go to their home country for their consular appointment, and ultimately cannot return until 10 years later. He's helping those people via the EO, and rightly so. If you want to make a sensible point, then say something along the lines of the following: "the system should change reflecting both family ties and meeting the needs of our changing economy. That way farm workers, relatives of LPRs/USCs, and the tech industry get a good deal as far as immigration goes." And I think you seem to neglect the fact that many of the same farm workers you are concerned about have USC children. If I recall, 300,000 or so will be helped via the DAPA program.

Double post

I honestly think the OP was expecting too much. I pretty much expected that the EO would only cover certain groups, although I earnestly hoped parents of DACA beneficiaries would be included. The President is a constitutional law professor. At the end of the day, his EO has to be able to help as many as possible, but also be able to stand up to court challenges. While we have certain rights under the Constitution, in the eyes of the public and, ultimately, courts, USCs and LPRs have more of a right to be here than we do. During the summer, Rep. Gutierrez and others tried to create the new group of DREAMers. And the discussion was always framed around the parents of LPRs and USCs (particularly those who are minors, as they are placed in the foster care system when parents are deported). We should all be grateful we qualified for the initial program and that older DREAMers have now been extended the same opportunity we had. I'm especially thankful since I'm part of a mixed status family. My little brothers no longer have to worry that they will get news that our mother will be deported (which was a real possibility for us some years ago, when she was caught DWL). If the required number of years would have been too high, immigrants rights activists would have been coming for him much like they already are, since some of the community seems to think he hasn't done enough with the new EO. I'll play devil's advocate here. 8 years is too low. It should have been 15. Our family has been here for 25 years and we have approved I-130 and a visa available. But we're dealing with the 10 year ban. We tried to legalize. Using your logic, I should be upset that he's giving deferred action to people who didn't even attempt to adjust and have been here less time than we have. I am not. In fact, I am ecstatic that he's actually doing something to help the undocumented population. At the end of the day, he could have continued to take the heat, but he didn't. He's putting himself out there, much to his own detriment. I have seen so many posts on twitter, on this message board, and another where people are busy belly aching instead of being humble and grateful.

Sorry for the late reply. I have only lived in 3 places since moving to the U.S., so I am unsure of how people with 4+ addresses would handle that section.

My sister's application arrived at USCIS 118 days before her expiration date. Just try to send it as soon as you have the money. I don't think 1-2 weeks outside of the safe zone will have much of an affect on the timing of the approval.

Have you finished your college degree? If not, have you tried applying for anything in retail? I know a lot of stores are hiring for the holidays, and many managers will be willing to keep you after if you're hard working enough. What about warehouses? They're going to be pretty busy too and need extra help this time of year. Try also finding information about your local UPS locations and see if they're hiring.

Congratulations!

Yes, we're preparing. As far as myself, I'm trying to finish my undergraduate degrees and apply to go to medical school before the legislation goes into effect. I figure the evidence requirements will be about the same as DACA (proving continuous residency for a number of years), so I have a bank account, credit card, cell phone, and I still make regular online purchases. If all goes well, my mother will also get the chance to apply to change her status post-reform. We have a box here filled with evidence from the date of our entry into the country (late 1980s) to present. There are a few gap years, so right now we're trying to figure out what kind of evidence we can use to prove she's been here the entire time. I figure the best thing people can do would be to begin gathering evidence that proves they have never exited the country. It sounds like a pain, but, in my opinion, there's no point in waiting until the final requirements will come down. Right now the Sentate's bill has only a two year residency requirement, but I figure it could potentially increase once the two houses go to conference and produce a bill. So, it only makes sense to try to gather evidence for the length of one's U.S. residency.

Life has definitely improved since my approval in December. I'm working two jobs now and am able to help out more at home in terms of finances. Never knew how much I would appreciate direct deposit and my mother not being so stressed out. This is the most carefree she's been in a long time. I can finally focus on finishing my degree and going to medical school. Before DACA, I had no clue how I was going to finance the rest of my education. Unfortunately, my state has banned undocumented students from the less expensive state schools (great education with a much lower price tag), but I'm not giving up on my double major.

This is exactly what I did and I definitely think that helped with a speedy approval. OP, my advice to you is to make sure you have evidence for at least 7-8 months per year to adequately cover the 5 years of continuous residency. Send Amazon/Ebay/Walmart receipts or packing slips with your name and your address as the shipping address. Even if your cell phone isn't in your name, send bills for the phone you use and a notarized affidavit from the person who got you the phone. If you have a bank account (even a savings account, which worked for me), send all of your statements from 2007 until present. I even used a receipt from my consulate when I updated my passport and the USPS receipt with my name on it from when I sent my passport for renewal. Also, organize your package with everything listed on a Table of Contents and the date on the individual piece of evidence. Hope that helps and good luck.

Thanks for the information everyone. I had no clue about these cards and was automatically going to apply for a secured card from Capital One. I'll try applying for the Newcomer card soon and let you all know how it goes.