On November 20, 2014, President Obama formally announced his executive action plan, which includes measures that could benefit millions of people currently in the country without status. Among the many measures announced by President Obama are the following:
- Expansion of the Deferred Action program for Dreamers that started in 2012. The expansion will benefit those who entered the U.S. before age 16, and before January 1, 2010, without regard to their current age. The original program was limited to those who were under 31 years old; the expansion removes that restriction. Also, the new deferred action and employment authorization cards (work permits) will be issued in three year increments instead of two. According to the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS should begin accepting applications under the new criteria from applicants no later than ninety (90) days from the date of this announcement.
- New program of Deferred Action for Parents of U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have been in the U.S. for at least five years, are not a priority for deportation, pass background checks, and pay a fee of $465. To qualify, their children must have been born prior to the President’s announcement. Those who are granted Deferred Action for Parents will be given an employment authorization card (work permit) valid for three years. According to the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS should begin accepting applications from eligible applicants no later than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date of this announcement.
- Expansion of the provisional waiver program for spouses and children of Lawful Permanent Residents. For information about the provisional waiver, visit the following link Provisional Waiver
- Not everyone will qualify. This is not an amnesty program. The President also indicated that the government will focus resources on stopping illegal immigration and that this executive action will not benefit those who entered the U.S. after January 1, 2014, those who enter in the future, or those who help people cross the border illegally. Those who are detained at the border will be deported.
If you believe you or a loved one may benefit from the executive action announced by the President, call us now to schedule a consultation at 704-644-7065. Immigration Attorney Jorge Ivan Pardo focuses his practice exclusively to immigration law. With office in Charlotte, North Carolina, we can represent individuals in Immigration matters throughout the United States.