On June 15, 2012, the Obama administration announced that it
will offer “deferred action” to immigrants who were brought to
the United States as children and meet other specific
requirements. Hailed by immigrant-rights advocates as a bold
response to the broken immigration system, the move temporarily
eliminates the possibility of deportation for many youths who
would qualify for relief under the DREAM Act—thereby giving
Congress the space needed to craft a bipartisan solution that
gives permanent residence to qualifying young people. This Q&A
guide outlines basic facts about the “Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals” (DACA) initiative, including eligibility
requirements and important information on process and timing.
Additional information may be obtained from U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) by calling (800) 375-5283 or
visiting www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals . Attorneys and other
legal representatives may also wish to consult the practice
advisory from the American Immigration Council’