DHS Outlines Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process
USCIS to begin accepting requests for consideration of deferred action on August 15, 2012
released Aug. 3, 2012
WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today provided additional information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals process during a national media call in preparation for the August 15 implementation date.
On June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced that certain young people who came to the United States as children and meet other key guidelines may be eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to receive deferred action. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is finalizing a process by which potentially eligible individuals may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.
USCIS expects to make all forms, instructions, and additional information relevant to the deferred action for childhood arrivals process available on August 15, 2012. USCIS will then immediately begin accepting requests for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.
Information shared during today’s call includes the following highlights:
- Requestors – those in removal proceedings, those with final orders, and those who have never been in removal proceedings – will be able to affirmatively request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals with USCIS.
- Requestors will use a form developed for this specific purpose.
- Requestors will mail their deferred action request together with an application for an employment authorization document and all applicable fees to the USCIS lockbox.
- All requestors must provide biometrics and undergo background checks.
- Fee waivers cannot be requested for the application for employment authorization and biometric collection. However, fee exemptions will be available in limited circumstances.
- The four USCIS Service Centers will review requests.
Additional information regarding the Secretary’s June 15 announcement will be made available on www.uscis.gov on August 15, 2012. It is important to note that this process is not yet in effect and individuals who believe they meet the guidelines of this new process should not request consideration of deferred action before August 15, 2012.
Requests submitted before August 15, 2012 will be rejected. Individuals who believe they are eligible should be aware of immigration scams. Unauthorized practitioners of immigration law may try to take advantage of you by charging a fee to submit forms to USCIS on your behalf.
Visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for tips on filing forms, reporting scams and finding accredited legal services. Remember, the Wrong Help Can Hurt!
An informational brochure and flyer are also available on www.uscis.gov.
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From Huffington Post
There will be a $465 application fee, meant to fund the additional staff and costs involved in processing the forms. In some “very, very limited cases,” individuals will be exempted from that fee, the administration official said.
“That’s going to be limited to folks who are [in a] homeless-type situation or an individual who has a significant disability and has no ability to — is far, far below the national poverty lines,” the official told reporters.
The policy could cost up to $585 million, in part because of the new employees who will be needed to process applications, according to internal documents obtained by the Associated Press.
From www.USCIS.gov
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From Atlanta Journal Constitution
Once immigrants submit their applications, it could take between two and 10 days for the Homeland Security Department to scan and file it. It could take up to four weeks longer to make an appointment for immigrants to submit their fingerprints and take photographs. A subsequent background check could take six more weeks, then three more months for the government to make its final decision before a work permit would be issued.
Napolitano said new information about the program should be made available by Aug. 1. She has said immigrants would generally not be detained by immigration authorities while their application is pending.
Deferred Action for DREAM-ERs Timeline
Application Accepted for Processing and Assigned Case Number
1.5 weeks
Biometrics Scheduling
4.0 weeks
Background Check (based on above Biometrics)
6.0 weeks
EAD (Work Authorization)
3.0 months
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Total Estimated Time from Application to EAD
6.0 months
