The immigration agency has traditionally held that deferred action is a tool that exists for the convenience of the government, and is not an immigration benefit per se, and it has resisted organized pressure to formalize the application process, publicize its availability, and thereby encourage more people to apply.
https://cis.org/Vaughan/What-Deferred-Action
Deferred action is a more formal way of exercising prosecutorial discretion that is available to USCIS, ICE and CBP. There is no statutory basis for this form of relief, but it is well established as a matter of policy. However, the lack of statutory guidelines makes it especially susceptible to abuse.
https://cis.org/Vaughan/What-Deferred-Action
You may not apply for advance parole unless and until USCIS defers action in your case pursuant to the consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals process. You cannot apply for advance parole at the same time as you submit your request for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Over the past three years, this Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transform the immigration enforcement system into one that focuses on public safety, border security and the integrity of the immigration system.
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
You may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals if you: 1  Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; 2  Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday; 3  Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
If USCIS has deferred action in your case under the deferred action for childhood arrivals process after you have been ordered deported or removed, you may still request advance parole if you meet the guidelines for advance parole described above.
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
Q3: If my case is deferred pursuant to the consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals process, will I be able to travel outside of the United States? A3: Not automatically. If USCIS has decided to defer action in your case and you want to travel outside the United States, you must apply for advance parole by filing a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document and paying the applicable fee ($360).
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
Q14: Can I request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals under this process if I am currently in a nonimmigrant status (e.g. F-1, E-2, H-4) or have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)? A14: No.
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
Q9: Can I be considered for deferred action even if I do not meet the guidelines to be considered for deferred action for childhood arrivals? A9:This process is only for individuals who meet the specific guidelines announced by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
The following explanation of Deferred Action, the tool that will be used by President Obama for the DREAMer amnesty, is from testimony I provided last summer to the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement:
https://cis.org/Vaughan/What-Deferred-Action
deferred action literal definition
Deferred action is a more formal way of exercising prosecutorial discretion that is available to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Customs and Border Protection. Deferred action is a more formal way of exercising prosecutorial discretion that is available to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection.