USCIS to accept expanded DACA applications on February 18, 2015

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a series of executive actions on including allowing certain parents of U.S. citizens and residents to stay and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation, as well as expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  USCIS announced that the federal agency will begin accepting applications for the expanded DACA program on February 18, 2015.

Expanded DACA Program

The expanded DACA program is for individuals present in the U.S. without legal immigration status, and enables certain persons to apply for deferred action benefits for the first time.  

There are three basic changes to the DACA program. Under the expanded DACA program: (1) the period of deferred action and employment authorization will be three years; (ii) the current age of the applicants will no longer be a factor for consideration; and (3) the period of continuous residence in the U.S. for eligibility is January 1, 2010. (Under the existing program, applicants must be 30 years old or younger, the benefits only last two years, and applicants had to be continuously present in the U.S. since June 15, 2007.)  

DACA applicants must still be currently enrolled in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or be honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.  

Applicants are not eligible for DACA is they have been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise poses a threat to national security or public safety.

If you are interested in more information on DACA please visit my website www.gouldervisa.com, or contact me at my law office from the gouldervisa.com website.