USCIS Announces Expanded DACA Available February 18

USCIS Announces Expanded DACA Available February 18

USCIS Announces Expanded DACA Available February 18

On February 18, 2015, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) will become available to all people who arrived in the United States prior to the age of  16.  Additionally, anyone who lived in the US  continuously since January 1, 2010 is now eligible.  Previously, DACA was available to people who were born after June 15, 1981 and lived continuously since June 15, 2007.

Now DACA grants a protected status to people who:

1. Entered the United States prior to the age of 16.

2. Have lived in the United States continuously since at least January 1, 2010 (Prior requirement was June 15, 2007).

3. Are of any age (Prior requirement was that the applicant had to be born after June 15, 1981)

4. Are in school, graduated from high school in the United states; have a GED or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.

5. Have not been convicted of certain crimes.

DACA grants you:

1. Protected status for three(3) years.

2. An employment authorization document.

3. The ability to apply for a travel document.

A person will be eligible to file for DACA if they meet these new requirements on February 18, 2015.