What is a "provisional waiver" and who is it for?

About a year ago, we posted about the I-601 Hardship Waiver. In that post, we described the biggest problem with the waiver -- that the applicant is not allowed to request the waiver until he or she has already departed the United States. This often causes long family absences while the applicant waits abroad, hoping that their waiver will be approved so that they can rejoin their family in the United States. Moreover, if the waiver is denied, the applicant would be unable to re-enter the country at all. That problem may soon be greatly alleviated.

Earlier this month, the final rule for a "provisional waiver" process was published by the Department of Homeland Security. The rule will take effect March 4, 2013. The provisional waiver process will allow certain applicants to request a waiver while they remain in the United States in order to prevent the need for prolonged separation from their families and to avoid the uncertainty of leaving the United States with no guarantee that they would be allowed to re-enter. Only spouses, parents, or children (17 years or older) of United States citizens are eligible for a provisional waiver. The normal requirements for approval of an I-601 hardship waiver remain as well. If approved, they will then still need to depart the United States to apply for their visa, but the process will be much quicker, and with much less uncertainty than before.

Anderson Immigration Law can help determine whether you are eligible for the new provisional waiver, guide you through the process, and prepare your waiver application for a flat fee. To speak to us about your immigration options, please contact us immediately.

After DACA Approval: What is Next?

As of October 10, almost 180,000 people had applied for the new immigration opportunity for young students and graduates known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). More than 4,500 have already been approved. As new approval notices are being sent out every day, it is time to consider what comes next for those fortunate enough to be approved.

Para el 10 de Octubre, casi 180,000 personas habían aplicado para la nueva oportunidad para estudiantes y graduados jóvenes, conocido como la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA).  Mas de  4,500 personas ya han sido aprobadas.  Mientras llegan nuevas notificaciones cada dia, es el tiempo de considerar que sigue para los afortunados en recibir una aprobación.

Apply for a Social Security Number

After you receive your work permit (also known as an EAD or I-766), go to the nearest Social Security Administration Office. You can find the closest one by going here and entering your zip code. Bring your work permit with you, along with proof of age and identity. For most people, that will be either your passport, high school ID card, or birth certificate. They will not accept a copy unless it has been certified by the agency that issued the original document.

Apply for a Driver's License

Depending on the state you live in, you may now be eligible to apply for a driver's license. Some states have explicitly stated that they will not allow DACA grantees to apply for driver's licenses. These states include Arizona, Michigan, and Nebraska. Some states require documents other than your work permit, most commonly your DACA approval notice or proof of residence in the state for a certain amount of time.

In Minnesota, you are required to provide one primary and one secondary form of identification. Your new work permit will work as primary identification. For secondary documentation any of the following will work:

• Your new Social Security card
• Certified Birth Certificate
• Certified Government-Issued Marriage Certificate
• Certified secondary (high school) or post-secondary (college) transcript (if it contains your full legal name and date of birth)
• Current school ID (if it contains your name, photo, and date of birth or unique ID number)

Also, don't forget that many states require drivers to have car insurance. In Minnesota, the driver of a vehicle can be charged with a misdemeanor if he or she fails to show proof of insurance.

Obligations

Besides the benefits of DACA, there are also some obligations to remember in order maximize your chances of being able to renew your DACA approval in the future.

Changes of Address

All DACA applicants are required to change their address that is on file with USCIS within 10 days of moving. This obligation is ongoing even after being approved. If you don't do so, you could lose your deferred action status or even be charged with a misdemeanor. You can update your address online here.

Stay in School (If You Haven't Graduated Yet)

If you were in high school, middle school, or junior high when you applied for DACA, you will only be able to renew if you have at least made substantial, measurable progress toward graduation from the school at which you were enrolled.

If you were enrolled in a GED program or something similar, you will have to show that you have either obtained your GED or high school diploma.

If you were enrolled in a program designed to lead to placement in postsecondary education, job training, or employment, you will have to show that you obtained that goal or made substantial, measurable progress toward completing the program.

Haven't Applied Yet?

If you haven't applied for consideration under DACA, you should go here to learn about the requirements of the program. If you think you might be eligible, please contact us as soon as possible to schedule a consultation in order to learn more!

Photo Credit: samxf42 

Aplicar para un número de Seguro Social

Después de que usted reciba su permiso de trabajo (conocido como el EAD o I-766), acérquese a la oficina mas cercana de la Administración de Seguro Social. Puede encontrar la oficina mas cercana por éste link, y marcar su código postal. Lleve su permiso de trabajo con usted, juntamente con prueba de edad e identidad. Para la mayoría, ésta será su pasaporte, o su identificación de la escuela, o su partida de nacimiento. No aceptarán una copia al menos que haya sido certificado por la agencia que emitió el documento original.

Aplicar para la Licencia de Conducir

Dependiendo en que estado vive, usted puede ser elegible para aplicar para una Licencia de Conducir. Algunos estados han dicho explícitamente que no darán brevetes a los poseedores de la acción diferida.  Estos estados incluyen Arizona, Michigan, y Nebraska. Algunos estados requieren documentos aparte de su permiso de trabajo, lo mas común siendo su aprobación de la acción diferida o una prueba que ha mantenido residencia en el estado por cierto tiempo.

En Minnesota, se requiere que provea un documento de identificación de forma primaria y otro de forma secundaria.  Su permiso de trabajo puede servir como identificación de forma primaria.  Para identificación de forma secundaria, puede usar uno de los siguientes documentos:

• Su nueva tarjeta de Seguro Social
• Partida de Nacimiento (Certificada)
• Partida de Matriminio (Certificada)
• Expediente Académico (Que incluye su nombre legal completo y fecha de nacimiento)
• Identificación de Escuela (Que incluye nombre, foto, y fecha de nacimiento o número de identificación)

También, no olvide que muchos estados requieren que usted posea y mantenga vigente su aseguranza de auto.  En Minnesota el conductor del vehículo puede ser acusado de un delito menor si le falta prueba de aseguranza.

Obligaciones

Aparte de los beneficios de la Acción Diferida, también hay algunas obligaciones para tener en cuenta para que maximice sus posibilidades de renovar su aprobación de la Acción Diferida en el futuro.

Cambio de Dirección

Todos los aplicantes para la Acción Diferida son obligados a actualizar la dirección que han dado a USCIS adentro de los 10 dias después de mudarse. Esta obligación sigue aun después de haber sido aprobado. Si no lo hace, puede perder a la Acción Diferida o aun ser acusado de un delito menor. Puede actualizar su dirección por medio de este link.

Sigue Estudiando (Si No Ha Graduado Todavia)

Si le faltaba graduarse de la secundaria cuando aplicó para la Acción Diferida, solo podrá renovar si demuestra que ha hecho progreso sustancial y medible hacia la graduación.

Si estaba matriculado en un programa de GED o algo parecido, tendrá que demostrar que ha obtenido su GED o su diploma.

Si estaba matriculado en un programo diseñado para llevarle a colocarse en educación pos-secundaria, entrenamiento del trabajo, o empleo, tendrá que demostrar que ha logrado tal colocación o ha hecho progreso sustancial y medible hacia terminar el programa.

¿Le Falta Aplicar Todavía?

Si todavía no ha aplicado para la Acción Diferida, contáctenos lo mas pronto posible para planear una consulta para aprender mas!

Photo Credit: samxf42 

Deferred Action for Students and Grads

Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced a new DHS process for some individuals to apply for "deferred action". "Deferred action" is a type of discretionary relief from deportation that gives recipients the chance to live in the United States and even gain work authorization. It does not, however, confer legal immigration status or a road to possible citizenship. The new process, outlined in a memo also released today, would allow individuals to be granted deferred action if the person:

1. Arrived in the United States before the age of 16 and is under the age of 31;
2. Has continuously resided in the United States for at least 5 years preceding June 15, 2012;
3. Was present in the United States on June 15, 2012; and
4. Is in school, has graduated from high school, received their G.E.D., or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces or Coast Guard.
5. Has not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, multiple misdemeanors, or otherwise poses a threat to public safety or national security.

Analysis

Although this new process is good news for undocumented students and graduates, there are many caveats. First, let us be clear: this is not the DREAM Act. The main difference is that the DREAM Act would have granted a legal immigration status to qualifying individuals and would have opened a possible road to permanent residence and eventual citizenship. By contrast, the new deferred action process confers no legal immigration status, but rather merely relieves the individual of the threat of deportation -- for now. Second, the process is implemented through a DHS memo, which could be revoked or amended at any time by Ms. Napolitano or any future Secretary of Homeland Security. If the political winds change, the policy and process could very easily change as well. Third, it is a merely discretionary form of relief. Although the above requirements are necessary to be granted deferred action, one must also convince the ICE or USCIS officer that he or she is deserving of the relief. This discretion means that one could fully qualify for deferred action through this new process and yet still be denied because an officer does not consider the case to merit a favorable exercise of discretion.