Today, the Director of USCIS, Mr. Alejandro Mayorkas announced further details and the process for applying for deferred action by individuals who arrived in the US in their childhood .
The forms are still being created and reviewed. They will be available on the USCIS website on August 15 2012 and the fee will be $465. With this request, one can simultaneously apply for employment authorization (EAD). There will be a biometrics appointment. Interviews will be conducted ONLY if the USCIS has to verify the integrity of the application or follow quality assurance. Thus, in general, there will not be an interview. This will be for a 2 year period which is renewable with new fees in due course. At this time, it is uncertain how long the adjudication process will be as it will depend on the volume of cases received and the pace at which they are received.
This is the information my clients have immediately so here it is!
Below is a copy of the DHS press release with highlights from the conference:
WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today provided additional information on the deferred action
for childhood arrivals process during a national media call in preparation for the August 15 implementation date.
On June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced that certain young people who came to the
United States as children and meet other key guidelines may be eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to receive deferred
action. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is finalizing a process by which potentially eligible
individuals may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.
USCIS expects to make all forms, instructions, and additional information relevant to the deferred action for childhood
arrivals process available on August 15, 2012. USCIS will then immediately begin accepting requests for consideration
of deferred action for childhood arrivals.
Information shared during today’s call includes the following highlights:
Requestors – those in removal proceedings, those with final orders, and those who have never been in removal
proceedings – will be able to affirmatively request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals with
USCIS.
Requestors will use a form developed for this specific purpose.
Requestors will mail their deferred action request together with an application for an employment authorization
document and all applicable fees to the USCIS lockbox.
All requestors must provide biometrics and undergo background checks.
Fee waivers cannot be requested for the application for employment authorization and biometric collection.
However, fee exemptions will be available in limited circumstances.
The four USCIS Service Centers will review requests.
Additional information regarding the Secretary’s June 15 announcement will be made available on www.uscis.gov on
August 15, 2012. It is important to note that this process is not yet in effect and individuals who believe they meet the
guidelines of this new process should not request consideration of deferred action before August 15, 2012. Requests
submitted before August 15, 2012 will be rejected. Individuals who believe they are eligible should be aware of
immigration scams. Unauthorized practitioners of immigration law may try to take advantage of you by charging a fee
to submit forms to USCIS on your behalf. Visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for tips on filing forms, reporting scams
and finding accredited legal services. Remember, the Wrong Help Can Hurt! An informational brochure and flyer are
also available on www.uscis.gov.
For more information on USCIS and its processes, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis),
YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.