Deferred Action by Obama Executive Order For Young DREAMers who Entered Illegally or Brought by Parents

 

On June 15, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security formally announced that it will offer deferred action to young aliens who entered the country illegally, referred to as "DREAMers." This policy was implemented through an executive order by President Obama. Under the new deferred action policy, the USCIS will exercise prosecutorial discretion to permit those undocumented aliens to receive work authorizations that will last a period of 2 years. Such work authorizations will be renewable for two-years upon expiration. The relief also applies to those illegal aliens already in deportation or removal proceedings in front of an immigration court or judge.

 

To be eligible, such aliens must:

1. Have arrived in the U.S. when they were under the age of sixteen

 

2. Have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to June 15, 2012 and have been present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012

 

3. Currently be in school, have graduated from high school, have a GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces

 

4. Not have been convicted of a felony offense, a “significant misdemeanor offense, three or more non-significant misdemeanors, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

 

5. Have been under thirty-one years old on June 15, 2012 [See Full Description]