Deferred Action to Begin August 15, 2012

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that the implementation date for deferred action will be August, 15, 2012, at which time the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin reviewing requests by applicants.

The announcement comes after Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, introduced the program on June 15, 2012, stating that individuals who entered the United States illegally as children and meet other strict criteria may be eligible to receive deferred action. USCIS will be reviewing requests on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to the date, in a national media call on August 3, 2012, DHS shared the following new information about requesting consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals:

1. Requestors who have already been issued removal proceedings, received final orders, or who have never been in removal proceedings, will all be able to request consideration with USCIS.

2.  Requestors will fill out a form specifically developed for this purpose.

3. Requestors will send their deferred action request, an application for an employment authorization document, and all necessary payments together in the mail to the appropriate USCIS lockbox.

4. All requestors will provide biometrics and submit themselves for background checks.

5. Requestors will not request a fee waiver for the application for employment authorization and biometric collection. Fee exemptions will be available to select requestors in limited circumstances.

6. All four USCIS Service Centers will review requests.

Individuals should not start requesting consideration of deferred action prior to the August 15 start date, as all requests submitted early will be immediately rejected.

USCIS is still finalizing the process that will allow potentially eligible individuals to request consideration, and plans to release additional relevant information on August 15, 2012.