Sen. Carper Highlights Application Period for Delawareans Seeking DREAM Act Deferred Action

WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) highlighted that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is accepting applications for consideration of deferred action for certain undocumented young adults living in the United States. 

In June, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a directive to immediately halt the deportation of select immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and who meet a series of criteria. Immigrants eligible to apply for a “deferred action” under this new policy: have come to the United States under the age of 16; have continuously resided in the United States for at least five years preceding the date of the memorandum and are present in the United States on the date of the memorandum; are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;  are not be above the age of 30.

Deferred action offers a chance for undocumented young adults, who meet several key criteria, to apply for legal work in the United States and avoid deportation, but does not provide lawful immigration status or a path to a green card or citizenship. DHS can terminate or renew deferred action at any time at the agency’s discretion.

The directive is similar to the provisions outlined in the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which is cosponsored by Sen. Carper. 

“This new policy will help thousands of hard-working, upstanding young immigrants in Delaware and across the country who have been members of our communities growing up and have the promise and potential to make positive contributions to America as adults,” said Sen. Carper. “These young immigrants were brought into the U.S. by others and since then have worked hard, attended our schools, or honorably served our nation through military service. They deserve the opportunity to continue contributing to their communities and our country by graduating from college, getting a job, or serving in the U.S. military.”

To learn more about the application process visit USCIS: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Additional application guidance and materials from USCIS:

• “How do I” brochure with process guidelines and filing information: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/daca.pdf

• Informational Flyer: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Humanitarian/Deferred%20Action%20for%20Childhood%20Arrivals/daca-consider.pdf
   
• Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3a4dbc4b04499310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3a4dbc4b04499310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

• Form and Instructions:  

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/files/form/i-821dinstr.pdf
http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/files/form/i-821d.pdf
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765instr.pdf
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.pdf