On June 5, 2014 Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced the process for individuals to renew enrollment in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)program. This coincides with the submission by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the Federal Register for approval of a revised form for application to allow individuals previously enrolled in DACA, to renew their deferral for a period of two years.
USCIS will immediately begin accepting renewal requests. USCIS will also continue to take applications for DACA from individuals who have not previously sought to access the program. As of April 2014, more than 560,000 individuals have received deferrals via DACA.
In making the announcement, Johnson stated, “Despite the acrimony and partisanship that now exists in Washington, almost all of us agree that a child who crossed our border illegally with a parent, or in search of a parent or a better life, was not making an adult choice to break our laws, and should be treated differently than adult law-breakers, By the renewal of DACA, we act in accord with our values and the code of this great Nation. But, the larger task of comprehensive immigration reform still lies ahead.
Individuals may request DACA renewal if they continue to meet the initial criteria and these additional guidelines:
Did not depart the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, without advance parole;
Have continuously resided in the United States since they submitted their most recent DACA request that was approved; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
The first DACA approvals will begin to expire in September 2014. To avoid a lapse in the period of deferral and employment authorization, individuals must file renewal requests before the expiration of their current period of DACA. USCIS encourages requestors to submit their renewal request approximately 120 days (four months) before their current period of deferred action expires.
The Shulman Law Group endeavors to ensure its clients be kept abreast of all significant developments relating to the immigration process to the United States. Edward Shulman, Esq, founder of The Shulman Law Group, LLC is a national speaker for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). AILA is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, and to advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice. In the course of Mr. Shulman’s involvement with AILA, he has been dedicated to educating other immigration attorneys about the import of helping intending immigrants to navigate a new cultural system. He meticulously follows all of the developments occurring in the battle over immigration reform so that he will be prepared to effectively assist his clients obtain residency if a new system is enacted.