Welcome to the Latino/a Educational Achievement Project's blog! Our blog is a way for us to connect with students and quickly inform you of educational opportunities particular to Latino students in Washington state. This blog will feature guest LEAPster who will write about their leadership experiences with LEAP. They will answer questions and provide advice.

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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

President Obama takes action to enable young immigrants without legal papers to live and work in U.S. without fear of deportation

On June 15, 2012, United States President Barack announced that “effective immediately,” young immigrants who came to the United States, but without legal papers, may remain in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

President Obama ordered the Office of Homeland Security to grant “deferred action” to those who meet certain criteria (see below). It will be at least 60 days (mid-August, 2012) before applications for “deferred action” are available.

President Obama’s order comes after the United States Congress last year failed to change immigration laws that would allow these same young people to remain in the country without fear of deportation.

As President Obama said, “This does not grant citizenship; it does not grant amnesty. But, it is the right thing to do.”

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, said, “Certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country ...

“Our nation’s immigration laws must be enforced in a firm and sensible manner,” said Napolitano. “But they are not designed to be blindly enforced without consideration given to the individual circumstances of each case.”

Said Rogelio Riojas, President and CEO of Sea Mar Community Health Centers, “Ultimately, the President’s action is aimed at young people who have been educated most of their lives in the United States, and who consider the U.S. their home. I am certain the President has come face-to-face with some of them. He understands both the tragedy and the sheer stupidity of turning our backs on bright young scholars who can contribute greatly to our economy and to the social fabric of our state and nation. I applaud him for his compassion, vision, and courage.”

Under the President’s order, those who apply and who are granted “deferred action” will be allowed to work and to remain in the U.S. for two years without fear of deportation. They will be permitted to re-apply for “deferred action” every two years.

Individuals who demonstrate that they meet the following criteria will be eligible for “deferred action” on a case-by-case basis:
  • Came to the United States under the age of sixteen;
  • Have continuously resided in the United States for a least five years and, were in the United States at the time of the President’s announcement on June 15, 2012;

  • Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
  • Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, and do not pose a threat to national security;
  • Are not above the age of thirty.

 

Important:

 Only those individuals who can prove they meet these criteria will be eligible for deferred action.

“Deferred action” requests will be decided on a case-by-case basis and there is no guarantee that all requests will be granted.

Individuals who are in removal proceedings and have already been identified as meeting the eligibility criteria by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may qualify for “deferred action” for a period of two years, subject to renewal.

 

TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT “DEFERRED ACTION” REQUESTS


Individuals seeking more information on the new policy should visit USCIS’s website, ICE’s website, or DHS’s website.
Beginning Monday, June 18, 2012, individuals can also call USCIS’ hotline at 1-800-375-5283 or ICE’s hotline at 1-888-351-4024 during business hours with questions or to request more information on the forthcoming process.

In Washington State, information may be obtained at the Northwest Immigration Rights Project, http://www.nwirp.org/