Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
The immigration attorneys and lawyers of Arcadier, Biggie & Wood, PLLC are here to help with all your immigration needs, including DACA applications. Indeed, in 2012, President Obama created a program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”), that allows undocumented immigrants brought into the country as minors to register with the federal government, pass a criminal background test and pay a fee in exchange for temporary legal status and a work permit.
The requirements for DACA are as follows:
- Applicant must have been born on or before June 16, 1981
- Immigrant must have continuously lived in the United States for the past five years, through the present.
- Applicant must have been physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing the DACA application
- Immigrant must have entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012. If immigrant had an inspection, other INS options may be available and you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
- Applicant must currently be enrolled in school, have graduated from high school, or obtained a general education certificate (GED) or high school equivalent.
- Applicant must not have been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. If immigrant has been convicted, other options may be available including a Padilla hearing to remove a prior conviction. If you have any arrests or criminal convictions, you must discuss the particulars of your situation with a competent immigration lawyer.
- Applicant must be at least fifteen (15) years old to file an application (unless you are or have been in deportation proceedings).
- If you have been deported in the past, or ordered to be removed, or departed from the United States during the relevant period you should discuss the particulars of your situation with an experienced immigration attorney.
Disclaimer: Immigration Law is currently in a state of flux and the President of the United States is currently processing proposed changes which may significantly change or enhance your rights. Although the attorneys at Arcadier, Biggie & Wood, PLLC have done their best to provide accurate information, we may not update our information at the time of the change or proposed change. The information provided is to be used as a guideline to spot your potential rights. In any event, you should consult with us or a competent immigration attorney to assess the particulars of your situation.
Our attorneys are knowledgeable and here to assist you in all your immigration needs.