Eligible applicants may submit their expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications to USCIS beginning February 18, 2015.
The expanded DACA will allow an even greater population of people to qualify under the program than under the existing DACA program. In order to qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
(1) Have no lawful immigration status
(2) Entered the United States before the age of 16
(3) Have lived in the United States continuously since at least January 1, 2010
(4) Be of any age
(5) Graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have a GED, or currently enrolled in school, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
(6) Have not been convicted of certain criminal offenses
Even if you do not qualify for expanded DACA, you may still be eligible under the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) Program.
Under the DAPA program, you qualify if you:
(1) Have no lawful immigration status
(2) Have a US citizen or lawful permanent resident son or daughter as of November 20, 2014
(3) Lived in the United States continuously since January 1, 2010
(4) Was physically present in the United States on November 20, 2014
(5) Are not an enforcement priority for removal from the United States and have not been convicted of certain criminal offenses
The application period for DAPA is expected to start sometime in mid to late May 2015. If you are granted DACA or DAPA, you will receive a work permit valid for three years subject to renewal.
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