A new program will allow immigrants to defer their deportation for a minimum of two years, providing a saving grace period for people who entered the United States as children without proper documentation .
The hundreds of thousands of U.S. residents who fit that criteria will be able to apply for the new program starting this week via U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This can be done via a single form labeled “Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,” which will be valid from August 15 to February 28 2013.
The director for the immigration service department spoke over a conference call on Tuesday, assuring applicants that they will be able to apply without fear of deportation, so long as they have not committed a major crime.
“This afternoon, USCIS makes available online the forms and instructions for individuals who will request deferred action for childhood arrivals,” Director Alejandro Mayorkas said during the call.
Two months ago, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that the applicants who arrived in America as children could request the deferred action for two years subject renewal, and would then be able to apply for work authorization. The Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was put into action by an executive order signed by President Barack Obama in June. According to the Pew Hispanic research center, more than one and a half million youths may qualify for the program.
Though the measure has faced contention from Republicans seeking stricter immigration policies, Latino leaders have fully supported the order. Dissenters have likened the status of deferred action to amnesty, as the grace period can be renewed indefinitely.
“This is not amnesty,” Obama said. “This is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It’s not a permanent fix. This is a temporary stopgap measure.”
Applicants must pay $465 to fund the costs of the program. But for families risk losing everything they’ve built in the U.S., the price is more than worth it.
