Apply for 

Deferred Action

for Childhood Arrivals -DACA-

 Visit our page deferred action central in this website !

Important !

Big Change in Immigration Policy for DREAMers !

On Friday June the 15th 2012, President Obama announced a change of immigration policy that benefits DREAMers.

Efective inmediately on that date, the administration stopped deporting young individuals who meet certain criteria.  USCIS outlined a process to grant deferred action (stop deportations) and grant work permits to DREAMers who came to the U.S. as children and have since led law-abiding lives.

Under the administration plan DREAMers granted DACA if:

1.-They were brought to the United States before they turned 16.

2.-Are younger than 30 years.

3.-Have been in the country for at least five continuous years.

4.-Have no criminal history.

5.- Graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED Certificate (or are enrolled in GED program) or served in the military.

These individuals can apply for a work permit that will be good for two years with no limits on how many times it can be renewed.

The policy will not lead toward citizenship but will remove the threat of deportation and grant the ability to work legally, leaving eligible DREAMers able to remain in the United States for extended periods.

For detailed information on the new immigration policy click here.

This does not provide permanent legal status or is the DREAM Act.  It is a step in the right direction and the fight for a more permanent solution is not over! 

What to do? 

1.- For undividuals in removal proceedings before this change: ICE announced the process where qualified individuals may request a review of their cases.

Beginning June 18 th, 2012 individuals may call ICE hot-line 1-888-351-4024 with questions.

2.-For other applicants go to USCIS website.

Please go periodically to this site for updates.

 How can I go to college in one of the toughest states for young immigrants like me?

Thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process, two important institutions in Arizona are offering In-State-Tuition:

Maricopa County Community Colleges  (ten Community Colleges in the Metro Phoenix Area).

Pima County Community College.  Click here to find out how to do it!



NEW ! Training on Immigration and Education Policy in Arizona and Around the Country: How to Support DREAMers Students to Succeed.

Please contact Carmen Cornejo

(480) 324-6378 for details and fees.

Many DREAMers cannot afford the $465 dollars fee for the USCIS-DACA application.

Please donate to Don't Let Them Behind Fund !  Click here to direct you to the fund website.

 

This is a great step in the right direction but we still need to change the laws of the USA through Congress.  The fight for the DREAM Act continues with your help.

Support the current efforts for Immigration Reform (CIR) 2013.

This is the first positive action we have had in our 10 years working for the DREAM ACT.

This is not the DREAM ACT, but it is a change of policy that does two very important things for the undocumented students:

1. The student will no longer live in fear of being identified  and deported on charges of  “just being here.”
2. There will be work permits.

We still need the DREAM ACT.

We still need Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

This will provide major benefits for DREAMERS and their families: 

Students with college degrees can now fill professional vacancies where there is a shortage of engineers, technicians, nurses, scientists and other fields.   Employers will no longer have to recruit in other countries.

Students are saying that they can now help their parents, who have been removed from jobs they held for many years.   The raids and enforcement of the employer laws have hurt the immigrant families.  Now they will have a family member who can work legally.

High school  students are encouraged to stay in school and graduate, since there is some hope for their future.

Students will be free to campaign more actively for the DREAM ACT and   Comprehensive Immigration Reform.   DREAM ACT advocates can give more time to promotion of the DREAM  ACT because we will not be working so hard to get students out of immigration hold.

 Watch President Obama gives the news here.

What is the DREAM Act?

The Dream Act is a proposal that has been discussed in Congress since 2001. It has been re-introduced every year but unfortunately has never made it for a full vote.

Under the provisions of this bill, those immigrants who came to the United States as children and are part of our communities are eligible for temporary legal status under certain conditions. 

The students need to have been in the US  five years prior to the passage of the legislation and under the age of 16 at the time of entry.

Upon completion of two years of post-secondary education or two years of military service, if the applicant demonstrates good moral character, he or she can apply for permanent residency.

This is the golden opportunity many students hope for.

Great Web Resource Center !!!

Scholarship A-Z 

 New Scholarship Fund Created for Immigrant Students

 www.dreamscholarshipfund.com

The Dream Scholarship Fund helps immigrant  children reach their potential of becoming highly successful, productive, tax paying citizens who will contribute renewing our economy.

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"You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.” - Cesar Chavez.