What is the DACA?

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The DACA has been in the news a lot lately, and consulting an immigration attorney in the Dallas TX area is the best way to determine if this program can help you or a loved one become a permanent U.S. resident.

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or the DACA for short, was introduced in Congress in 2009 but was NEVER passed despite the widespread popularity of the program. Because of the incredible ineptitude of Congress, President Obama decided to do what he could legally do to help the children who qualified for the proposed legislation. In 2012 he introduced “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” otherwise known as DACA. It is designed to help undocumented students to have a chance to legally work without the fear of deportation despite being brought in the United States illegally when they were children. It states that some people who came to the United States as children can request deferred action for up to two years (with possible renewal) if they meet certain requirements. This will allow them to work and even obtain drivers licenses in most states.

An individual is eligible for DACA if they entered the U.S. while under the age of 16, and they must have resided continuously in the U.S. since June 15, 2007. Only individuals who were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012, are eligible to participate in the DACA. Any person interested in taking advantage of the DACA must be in school, working towards a GED or already have a high school diploma. Also, it is important that you not be convicted of a felony or three or more misdemeanors or any “significant misdemeanor.” There are a few other requirements, and an immigration attorney in the Dallas TX area can fill you in on the details. Since this is a relatively new law, most people do not understand it yet, and a local immigration attorney will be able to explain it to you.

Unfortunately, immigration scams do exist, and unsuspecting people who may be eligible for “deferred action” may fall prey to unscrupulous lawyers or “notarios”. That’s why you should research legal firms before applying for the DACA program or any other immigration service. Ask for information on any immigration attorney in the Dallas TX area you are considering. All competent immigration attorneys have one or more bilingual attorneys on staff. The attorney should have a professional website and office, as well as testimonials from satisfied clients.

The Christensen Law Firm is dedicated to helping people achieve the American dream and become citizens. We have an extensive background in all types of immigration law, including citizenship, deportation defense, employment immigration, and other approaches to immigration including the DACA change known as DACA. Call Christensen Immigration today at (972) 497-1017 to schedule a low-cost consultation with an immigration attorney in the Dallas TX area. We accept major credit cards and offer payment plans in most cases. Se habla Espanol.

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