JUNE 12 marked the three year anniversary for President Obama’s program to shield young people often referred to as DREAMers from deportation. During these past three years, DACA has given countless opportunities to young people who once had no ability to secure a job, attend a university, or obtain a driver’s license legally in the United States. Those who qualified for DACA now hold a temporary work authorization. These work authorizations have created career and educational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people.
Many People Eligible for DACA Have Not Yet Applied.
Although many benefits have been provided to so many, there are also a significant number of people who are eligible for DACA who have not yet applied. According to Pew Research Center, only two thirds of those that are eligible for the Deferred Action program have actually submitted their DACA applications. While more than 664,000 people have received benefits from the DACA program, it is estimated that over one million could qualify.
Many potential applicants believe that they do not qualify for DACA for one reason or another. Sound legal advice must be obtained under these circumstances in order to not let an important benefit be left untaken. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has stated that DACA applicants’ information will not be shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless there is national security, fraud, or public safety concerns. An attorney will be able to advise potential applicants of the risks, along with the benefits of applying for DACA.
What an Attorney Can Help With.
If a potential DACA applicant has a criminal record or any other issues with their case, legal advice should be sought from a licensed attorney. Community members and friends often have useful information, but many times that information is incomplete. A licensed attorney can help to clarify and organize the information a potential applicant may have received from friends and family. Only once a potential applicant has a clear understanding of the risks and benefits of applying for DACA, can they make an informed, and wise decision for their individual case.
Whether it is for DACA or for any other immigration benefit, seek the advice of a licensed attorney. These and many other issues can be advised on and handled in the highest quality manner with the help of the team of attorneys at Wilner and O’Reilly. At Wilner and O’Reilly, we specialize in immigration matters. Our attorneys can help you determine the risks and benefits of applying for any type of immigration application. It is our job and our pride to inform our clients and give them the knowledge they need to make the best decisions in their individual cases. Call our office to schedule your free consultation today. We have offices in Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and a new office in San Diego.
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Kelly S. O’Reilly is a nationally known immigration expert and former immigration officer. He is a highly sought after speaker on immigration and employment compliance issues. Mr. O’Reilly serves as the current chair of the Riverside County Bar Association Immigration section and is a partner in the full-service immigration firm of the Wilner & O’Reilly where he provides free consultations. Mr. O’Reilly can be contacted at (714) 919-8880 and he welcomes email inquiries at [email protected].
