In 2012, President Barack Obama enacted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This program offers young undocumented immigrants who came to the United States with their parents protection from deportation. Under DACA, these children were given opportunities just like American children. They were allowed to go to school and further their education so they could work.
President Donald Trump did away with this program in September, leaving hundreds of thousands of immigrants anxious about their future. In fact, ending DACA has affected 689,000 immigrants between the ages of 15 and 36.
But not all hope is gone yet. Congress has until March 5 to come up with an alternative. But if Congress doesn’t meet that deadline, DACA recipients will lose their ID cards, work authorization and educational benefits. This means they won’t be able to drive, work or attend college. Those caught driving without a license can be deported. After March 5, 918 immigrants will face deportation daily.
Of the 689,000 people in the DACA program, 20 percent are in middle school or high school. Forty-four percent are high school graduates. Eighteen percent are in college and 4 percent have a bachelor’s degree. More than 30 percent hold down a job while in school. Approximately 400,000 are employed, many in mid-skilled jobs. Many work as teachers, social workers, managers and health care workers.
The DACA program is not an alternative for U.S. citizenship. It simply delays deportation for a period of two years. It offers recipients the ability to work, attend school and live in the United States. DACA requests are not being accepted at this time.
It was available to immigrants who came to the U.S. before their 16th birthday. Applicants had to be between the ages of 15 and 31 as of June 15, 2012. They must have lived in the U.S. since 2010. They must currently be enrolled in school, have a GED or be honorably discharged from the military. Applicants must also have no felonies on their criminal record and must not be considered a safety threat.
Young immigrants are also known as DREAMers, taken from the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. It takes a lot of courage for young people to admit they are undocumented immigrants, but by coming forward, they can get a Social Security card and other documents so they can pursue the American dream.
DREAMers face an uncertain future. To qualify for deferred action, they must take the appropriate steps in a timely manner. Without the right application materials, they could be deported.
To qualify for DACA, it’s important that you seek legal assistance right away to secure your residency in America. The knowledgeable immigration attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC can help relieve your anxiety so you can focus on success. To get help with your immigration and citizenship needs in Illinois, give us a call today at (312) 332-2550 for a case evaluation.
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Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
I’m deeply grateful to God for leading us to this law firm; it is a true blessing to work with such professional and passionate individuals. Their dedication and commitment help make a difficult situation far less traumatic. In our case, we received 100% support from Attorney Andrea Ochoa and paralegal Rafael. May God bless them and allow them to continue this wonderful work. Thank you—a thousand thanks.
I give my total recommendation and trust in this great organization that has supported me and my family in very difficult times, especially the lawyer Andrea Ochoa and her paralegal Rafael who were little angels that God has sent us to be able to face all the obstacles that we have had along the way. Thank you very much with all my heart. ❤️
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
Our experience with the firm was extraordinary. We worked with attorney Andrea Ochoa. Since the very first meeting we met, Andrea gave us all the confidence to proceed with our case. She always answered our questions shortly and offered clear guidelines to proceed. When my son's case received a notice of intent to deny, she planned how to fight that decision effectively. We totally recommend everyone to trust their case…
I just want to say huge thank you to Mr. Kevin A. Raica. for everything he has done for me throughout my immigration case. When I first came to Kevin, he explained the SIJS process clearly and walked me through the steps. We first needed to get the guardianship court order before moving forward with the I-360, and he connected me with a trusted attorney to help with that part.…
I cannot find the words to express my gratitude to Brittni Rivera! She literally saved my family. We had been waiting seven years for what she accomplished in just three weeks. I was impressed by how accessible the office is—they always answer calls very quickly. A special thank you to paralegal Nataliia Melnyk. You are my heroes. Thank you.
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