What is President Obama’s newly announced Deferred Action and Should I apply?

1. Parents of citizens —or green card holders—who have been in the country for more than five years; and
2. Younger immigrants who entered the U.S. before they were 16 and have been in the country for more than five years.

Here are the main benefits to consider if applying for Deferred Action

If you fit into either Deferred Action category, you should absolutely apply.  Here is why:

• Immigrants who are eligible for deferment can request temporary relief from deportation, as well as be granted the ability to work legally in the United States, as long as they are not considered a threat to national security.
• If accepted, deferred immigrants can apply for a social security number and will be able to pay their U.S. taxes.
• If accepted, deferred immigrants can apply for a driver’s license. That means you can buy, insure, and register a car in your name.  You won’t have to worry about getting pulled over every time you get behind a wheel.
• If accepted, deferred immigrants can apply for permission to visit their loved ones in their home country through a process called Advance Parole

How Soon Can I Apply for Deferred Action?

Applications for Deferred Action of Parents may be submitted 180 days after November 20, 2014 – The date that the immigration measure was announced.

Applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals may be submitted 90 days after November 20, 2014 or on Wednesday, February 18, 2015.

Is There a Cutoff Date Where I Will No Longer Be Eligible?

There are not deadlines at this time for applications or eligibility. However, USCIS will likely be flooded with requests in the coming months, so it is to your benefit to start right away.

How Can I Get Started?

While many people and companies offer to help undocumented aliens with their immigration problems, not all of them are authorized to do so. To avoid getting bad advice—or simply getting ripped off—you should seek the advice of an experienced immigration attorney. Click the contact link on this page to make an appointment at Andres Mejer Law today, or order a copy of our free guide, 7 Critical Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Immigration Attorney.