Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

[Admin 174]

So we now have our own acronym. Since deferred action itself was already an existing policy, this officially puts our cases under a brand new category: it's not just deferred action, it's deferred action for childhood arrivals.

During the meeting, DHS provided updates on the implementation of Deferred Action, which is now referred to as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

So know we can all start saying DACA and we will know what you mean.

[itzel 336]

DACA....sounds good

[TheDeferredActionLawyer 4]

My name is Ian Benouis and I am an immigration attorney from Austin, TX I just joined the forum.

Here is some more information on DACA from a Deferred Action And Related Relief For Experts Seminar that I recently attended that includes some useful information presented at the USCIS field office in San Diego as well. I tried to share the entire blog post here but I guess it was too long.

[itzel 336]

Mr. Benouis:

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for joining and providing us with your info/input.

I just read your article, regarding the CLE on DACA, and yes, its a crappy acronym, but its a dream come true for many of us that have been waiting for a chance/change.

I look forward to many enlightening/interesting conversations with you on this forum.

One of the things that caught my eye in this article was that Obama may have announce the DACA for being a president responsible for more deportations than any other president in history.

That maybe the case and Its sad, but this action to me is a blessing from above and the reasons he did it don't concern me too much.

I think the part of the article I got most excited for was the following:

(They discussed the information from the San Diego meeting that USCIS will likely use a form that is a variation of the I-821 probably called the I-821D. There will likely not be a charge for this, but there will still be the $380 charge for the work authorization permit and $85 for the biometrics.)

If this information proves true and there is no charge for the DACA application, it'd be a dream come true for many of us. In a recent poll 50% of us dont have the $1000 fee we had estimated it to be and this is without counting any attorney fees. Many of us, including myself, had considered filing our own paperwork to avoid expensive attorney fees.

The only part of this article that did sadden me was that there is a possibility that the process can take from 6-12 months. I had hoped it would only be 60-90 days but now I realize that with soo many applying, we could all be delayed in the process.

I'd appreciate any type of comment you have regarding what I just have posted Mr. Benouis and once again, Welcome to the forum!!!

[TheDeferredActionLawyer 4]

Itzel,

Please call me Ian. Thanks for the kind welcome. This is really cool what you guys are doing here. It's great to see people having access to this kind of technology and being able to put it to such effective use for the greater good.

For sure on DACA. I can understand that there is finally some hope for you and your fellow Dreamers. Hopefully this is just the beginning and that the full Dream Act will be passed soon. I believe that Obama thinks it's the right thing to do just like Bush did and tried to push, but that they both ran in to a political reality that passing any kind of immigration reform was going to be difficult. My point was that the activism of DREAMers and their courage to come out with support from activists, advocacy organizations and the greater community helped to force Obama's hand. So it's a great lesson and encouragement on political activism and the power of the people.

Totally understand on the cost. The catch 22 of having more limited options for employment without a SSN or driver's license because someone is undocumented leading to a greater challenge of coming up with the money to become documented and get a work authorization permit is not lost on me. Our firm plans to have longer term payment options for people who need help. I know that there will also be lots of pro bono and low cost legal service opportunities available with non-profits and other types of advocacy organizations which we will be supporting as well.

Understood your concern on the potential length of time on the process. At this point it's all speculation, but the fact more people applying could slow it down is a real consideration. The good thing is that the administration is still going to have a lot of political pressure to move people through the process and if your supporting documentation is all good the first time up and you don't have a criminal record you can at least have the chance to move through faster.

Would love to get your feedback on my latest blog post: Understanding Mexican Emigration – Can We Shake Our Neighbor’s Not So Invisible Hand?

Peace,

Ian

[itzel 336]

Ian;

The article was an interesting read, and thank you for sharing it. I find that it the foreign corn, can be compared to most DREAMERS.

I'll use myself as an example. I am 100% fluent in both English and Spanish. I was born in Mexico, but was brought to this country at the age of 3. I received all my schooling here and when I had the financial means to do so, I did take few college classes.

The few times that I have interacted with people originally from Mexico, who know the customs and culture, they have pointed out, that even though my Spanish is flawless, its easy to tell I didnt grow up in my home country. I can be easily identified.

I feel that many of us DREAMERS, if we were deported to our birth country, because I do not call it our home country, I call the United States of America my HOME country; we'd be easily pointed out and could get into troublesome situations or even be taken advantage off.

Its similar to cases where wolf pups are removed from their mother's side and raised in "civilization". When the pups, now full grown, are returned to their original environment, they have to adjust quickly or face the danger of being killed or ousted.

It'd be a similar situation for us..like an acquaintance once said to me after I mentioned my situation, "How can a country you've known as your home throw the sheep into the wolves den?"

Of course, me, us, the DREAMERS, being the sheep...

Thanks for sharing.

[TheDeferredActionLawyer 4]

Itzel,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad that corn metaphor resonated with you.

What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing it with me.

What a powerful question to the country that raised you.

Hopefully we'll all make it a moot point.

Besides a lot of great information on our site, we've got a Top 10 Things Every DREAMer needs to know about Deferred Action that folks can get by signing up on our list. http://thedeferredactionlawyer.com/

Peace,

Ian