Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Information from Catholic Charities' Immigration Legal Services
On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced that some young immigrants who arrived in the United States as children may qualify for "deferred action," which will allow them to apply for work authorization. The CIS forms to request consideration for deferred action under this program are now available at the CIS website.
To request consideration, you must:
- File Form I-821D (no fee)
- File I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization - $380 fee + $85 fee for biometrics)
- File I-765WS (a worksheet to establish economic necessity for work authorization - no fee)
- The total government filing fee to request deferred action and work authorization is $465.
CIS began accepting applications on August 15, 2012. There is no deadline for filing for consideration for deferred action under the program. You should carefully evaluate your eligibility for the program before applying. Check back at this website -- Immigration Legal Services Check will continue to post updates and further information about the process.
To learn more about eligibility and what documents you will need to apply, Click Here (English)
Cuestionario de eligibilidad / Documentos de evidencia aceptables - Clic Aquí (en español)
USCIS has developed a number of resources that further clarify the process and the evidence required, including:
- Updated list of frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- "How Do I" Guide
- Deferred Acton for Childhood Arrivals Flyer
Beware of notarios and others in your community who don't have the legal knowledge and credentials to provide immigration law counseling and services. Consult only with a licensed attorney or an accredited representative. Catholic Charities' Immigration Legal Services provides consultations in several locations in the DC area on different days of the week - learn more here.