The application period for applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) began on August 15, 2012. Our office is meeting with young people to analyze eligibility on a regular basis and we are preparing and filing applications. The government has now released the forms required for DACA applications and has clarified certain aspects of the process. Among other new standards, the process requires a qualifying standard for work authorization. A newly developed government form that must accompany the application solicits financial information, including the applicant’s current annual income, annual expenses, and assets. Moreover, the DACA applicant need to provide an appropriate statement of economic need to support the application for work authorization. This suggests that the government will not routinely issue work authorization but instead will evaluate the applicant’s need and circumstances.
If you or someone you know may qualify for DACA, we encourage you to contact our office for a thorough evaluation. Only an experienced immigration attorney can screen a DACA case for disqualifying factors, explain the relative risks and benefits, and possibly discover a form of immigration relief that is even more advantageous than DACA.