AILA: Renewal Process for DACA Opens; Get Started As Soon as You Can!

Visit our website, DeferredActionFlorida.com for more information on DACA and fill out our form to apply.

Cite as “AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 14060545 (posted Jun. 5, 2014)” 

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) commends U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for releasing details of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal process so that applicants can begin their renewal process in a timely manner.

Update from AILA CFC: Immigration Lawyers Advocate for Unaccompanied Children, End Unlawful “Detainers”

AILA CFC Advocates for Unaccompanied Children at Border

Country conditions in Central American countries such as El Salvador and Honduras have resulted in over 50,000 unaccompanied minor children making treacherous journeys to seek safety in the U.S. since October 2013. Some may be able to stay in the U.S. if they can demonstrate that their lives will be jeopardized if they returned to their country of origin. The Obama administration has started to speed up the process of scheduling immigration hearings on these children. AILA National, AILA Central Florida and legal aid organizations in Central Florida are working together to ensure that children in this region at least have basic legal representation.

The Obama Administration is considering administrative fixes due to Congressional inaction on immigration reform. These include potential remedies for undocumented parents of U.S. citizens here, and revising the way available green card numbers are counted so as to reduce waiting times in employment and family-based categories. An announcement could come as early as this month. AILA has been on the front line of presenting potential administrative fixes to the administration.

 AILA CFC Works to End Unlawful “Detainers”

Detainers are the so-called “immigration holds” that local police engage in on behalf of ICE. When someone suspected by law enforcement to be undocumented is detained by local police such as for a traffic stop, Sheriff’s offices are permitted to hold that individual for 48 hours while ICE determined their immigration status or whether to pursue removal proceedings against them.

Often Sheriff’s offices hold people for much longer than 48 hours. Some of these individuals are U.S. citizens or green card holders.  Immigration violations are a civil matter, not a criminal matter, and these individuals should not be held indefinitely without probable cause that they have committed a crime. Counties incur substantial costs and liability in breaking the law on behalf of ICE.  

Due to efforts by the ACLU, The Miami Law School Immigration Law Clinic, AILA Central Florida, and AILA South Florida, and other organizations, Sheriff’s offices throughout the state are ceasing these detainers unless there is probable cause to detain.

More on Deferred Action for Employers

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins

Continuing the theme of an earlier blog post regarding information on Deferred Action for employers we would like to provide this PDF entitled USCIS DACA Guidance to Employers.

Hope it helps and have a happy Thanksgiving!

Supporting Latin Empowerment with UnidosNow

Last Friday, a representative from Jaensch Immigration Law Firm attended UnidosNow’s inaugural “Gala de las Americas” in Bradenton’s Municipal Auditorium.  The Gala featured leaders from Southwest Florida and UnidosNow who spoke about the strength and potential of the Latin community.  The keynote speaker was Marco Davis, Acting Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.  He spoke at length about the many endeavors the White House is undertaking to improve the educational opportunities of Hispanics.  Marco Davis’ presence and the event itself were testaments to the leadership of UnidosNow.

Jaensch Immigration Law Firm was pleased to support the event by sponsoring a student for UnidosNow’s Florida Leadership Academy.

White House representative Marco Davis was the keynote speaker.

 

 

The Gala featured some great entertainment including this Mariachi Band

 

UnidosNow Monta Una Nueva “Conozca Sus Derechos” Sobre Accion Diferida

Organización pro-inmigración, UnidosNow, ofrece nuevo foro informativo sobre la Acción Diferida y la manera de solicitar. Va a ocurrir el 8 de septiembre, 2012 y habrá dos sesiones, a la 1 y las 4. La dirección del encuentro es 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243.

Abogados de defensa criminal e inmigración, empleados de USF y representantes de UnidosNow presentatarán del tema de la Acción Diferida y responderán a preguntas.

El último encuentro así fue un éxito con mas de 300 personas en asistencia! Esperamos que venga tanta gente y más esta vez.

El Evento Conozca Tus Derechos Accion Diferida

After a Week of Deferred Action Consultations – Initial Observations

We’ve been conducting Deferred Action consultations for a week now. Time to share some of our insights after seeing the process in action.

To begin with, the response has been impressive. We are consulting with potential applicants, establishing eligibility and beginning to prepare applications.

Deferred Action and Social Security Numbers:

Modern Social Security card. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the issues we came across is the use of multiple or false Social Security numbers. This could be a potential problem as the I-765 (application for employment authorization) asks for all Social Security numbers ever used. At this point there are no test cases to show how this issue will be treated so we do not know what the full implications of using a false Social Security number. We advise anyone who might have used multiple or false Social Security numbers to exercise caution when applying for Deferred Action. As usual we cannot guarantee approval but USCIS is looking at each applicant on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred Action-Why Hire an Immigration Attorney

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins

We understand that many people would like to apply for deferred action on their own rather than take on the cost of hiring a lawyer. Deferred Action is a very new policy and it has the potential to help many people and we welcome all who wish to apply to do so as soon as possible.

We would also like to inform all potential applicants that if your Deferred Action application is denied, there is no possibility of appeal. This means that you only get one opportunity to qualify so please make sure that your application is as complete as possible.

While denial will not cause immediate placement into deportation proceedings – USCIS will not share information on Deferred Action applicants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – there will still be a general risk of deportation. The fact remains, if you entered without inspection or overstayed your visa the government can place you in deportation proceedings at any time.

If you choose to apply on your own please be careful. If you choose to seek help please make sure that the person you ask for help is a genuine immigration attorney. Many “notarios” will offer to complete and submit an application on your behalf for a fee. They are not fully trained legal professionals and may be trying to defraud you.

Some may remember the provision of law Section 245(i). This policy allowed people who entered the country illegally or were otherwise unqualified for Adjustment of Status to ‘get legal” in the U.S. (through family or employment categories) by paying a penalty fee of $1,000. It expired in 2000, but Congress passed a short extension between December 2000 and April 30, 2001.

Many semi-legitimate institutions appeared overnight. These places filed many fraudulent or frivolous applications for a fee. Sometimes they charged a fee and filed nothing.

Do not endanger your chance to qualify for Deferred Action. Make sure that the person you hire to help you is an immigration attorney.

Related Articles:

• Latest Deferred Action Q&A
• USCIS Will Begin Accepting Deferred Action Applications!
• Los requisitos de Accion Diferida

New Employment Authorization Form to go with Deferred Action

Jaensch Immigration Law Firm recently received a corrected practice advisory regarding the employment authorization form that will be filed with Deferred Action applications. The earlier procedure erroneously linked the Deferred Action application to the current Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and advised that this form should be filed concurrently with the deferred action application.  However, USCIS has said not to use the current form.  USCIS expects to make available a new employment authorization application form on August 15, 2012.

In Related News: Underestimating Deferred Action (from ILW.com)

Related Articles:

• Latest Deferred Action Q&A
• USCIS Will Begin Accepting Deferred Action Applications!
• Los requisitos de Accion Diferida

Deferred Action Requirements

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins

Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins offers answers to questions concerning the new Deferred Action policy.

As the date of implementation of the new deferred action policy draws near more details about requirements for the application are being released. I recently returned from a meeting concerning the requirements for  Deferred Action and wanted to share information from that meeting. There are still some questions and as we learn more we will add it to the blog. In the meantime, readers can go to www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals to find out more.

 Q: When will USCIS begin accepting applications for Deferred Action?

• August 15, 2012.

Q: What will a Deferred Action applicant need to demonstrate?

1. Applicant under age 31 as of 6/15/2012.
2. Came to US before age 16.
3. Continuous residence as of 6/15/2007 for 5 years and physical presence at time of filing.
4. Entered without inspection or status expired prior to 6/15/ 2012.
5. Currently enrolled in school, high school diploma, GED, or honorable discharge from military.
6. Enrollment in school or GED can be after 6/15/2012 so long as it is as of date of filing
7. Not convicted of felony, significant misdemeanor or 3 or more misdemeanors.

Q: How old can I be to apply?

• Applicants must be over 15 to file unless in removal.

Q: Does significant misdemeanor include a DUI?

• Yes.

Q: If I apply and am denied, will I be in danger of deportation?

• No. Information on the application (including information on family members) will not be disclosed to ICE or CBP for removal purposes – in other words, applicants and their family members will not be placed in removal just because they apply and are denied for some reason. However, they will exercise prosecutorial discretion where there are issues of national security, criminal offenses, etc.

Q: What will the cost of applying be?

• Total fee will be $465

Q: Can the fee be waived?

• No fee waivers but there are fee exemptions for certain situations. Fee exemption must be requested prior to applying for Deferred Action (but not prior to 8/15)

Q: Will I need to get my fingerprints taken?

• Yes, applicants will have to get biometrics.

Q: Will there be an interview?

• There will be no interview, except in some cases were fraud may be indicated or for quality control purposes.

Q: If I apply and am denied can I appeal?

• There will be no review or appeal of denials.

Q: Can I apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) at the same time?

• EADs can be applied for at the same time as Deferred Action and will be granted also for two years. Must show economic need

Q: Can I renew my Deferred Action status?

• Renewals of Deferred Action and Employment Authorization Documents will be available in two year increments

See these other articles for more information:

1. “USCIS Aceptará Solicitudes Para Acción Diferida el 15 de Agosto”
2. “Deferred Action Applicants Should Collect Student Records Now“
3. “Sarasota Immigration Attorneys Welcome Deferred Action Announcement”

USCIS Aceptara Solicitudes Para Accion Diferida el 15 de Agosto

WASHINGTON-El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional ha ofrecido hoy información adicional sobre el proceso de acción diferida en preparación del 15 de agosto; la fecha de implementacion de la nueva politica.

El 15 de junio, la secretaria de Seguridad Nacional, Janet Napolitano, anunció que ciertas personas jóvenes que llegaron a los Estados Unidos cuando eran niños y que cumplen con otros requisitos claves pueden ser elegibles para la Acción Diferida. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) está finalizando un proceso por el cual los individuos potencialmente elegibles podrán solicitar la Acción Diferida.

USCIS espera que todos los formularios, instrucciones y la información adicional pertinente a la Acción Diferida estara disponible el 15 de agosto de 2012. USCIS entonces de inmediato comenzará a aceptar solicitudes para el examen de la acción diferida para quienes llegaron a los Estados Unidos como infantes.

Los aspectos más destacados de la información compartida durante la conferencia de hoy incluyen lo siguiente:

• Aquellos que llegaron durante la infancia que estan en el proceso de expulsión, con órdenes finales y los que nunca han estado en proceso de deportación podrán solicitar afirmativamente la Acción Diferida con el USCIS.
• Los solicitantes utilizaran un formulario especifico para Accion Diferida.
• Los solicitantes pueden enviar por correo su solicitud de acción diferida junto con una solicitud de un permiso de trabajo y todas las tasas aplicables a la caja de seguridad del USCIS.
• Todos los solicitantes deben proporcionar datos biométricos y someterse a un examen de antecedentes criminales.
• Los cuatro Centros de Servicio de USCIS revisarán las solicitudes. El establecimiento mas cercano esta en Tampa.

Acción Diferida – Que son los requisitos?

Estos consejos proceden de UnidosNow, organización pro-inmigración de Sarasota.

OJO: Todavia no se sabe como va a ser el proceso para solicitar Acción Diferida. No se debe contratar a ningún “notario” que dice que puede entregar la solicitud para usted, esta mintiendo.

Aun asi, hay cosas que se puede hacer hoy para prepararse a solicitar accion diferida. Uno es sacar el Registro Escolar.

Parte del papeleo requerido para solicitar la accion diferida es el registro escolare.  Esto sirve para demostrar que usted o su hijo ha asistido a una escuela publica durante los ultimos años lo que ayudara a demostrar que usted ha residido en este pais.

Personas autorizadas para solicitar registros escolares:

1. Padres de estudiantes de una escuela del condado de Sarasota
2. Estudiantes ya graduados de una escuela del condado de Sarasota

Para los Padres

1. Ustedes tienen que completar la “Solicitud de Registro del Estudiante”/”Request for Student Record” y marcar “transcript” y “attendance.”
2. Usted puede enviar la solicitud por correo, fax o entregarla a la escuela a que asistira su hijo en el ano 2012-2013. Ojo, las escuelas primarias no tienen registros de estudiantes ya en secundaria. El registro acumulativo de cada estudiante se mueve con el estudiante de una escuela a otra.

Para los ex-estudiantes de una escuela del condado de Sarasota

1. Si usted ya se graduo de una escuela del condado de Sarasota, tendra que completar la misma “Solicitud de Registro del Estudiante” pero, un su caso, hay que marcar “transcript,” “graduation verification,” y “attendance,” como los registros que se solicite.
2. Luego tendra que enviar por correo, fax o entregar el formulario al “Centro de Retencion de Registros”/”Register Retention Center” en Osprey.

Las escuelas secundarias y el Centro de Retención de Registros solo estan abiertos entre lunes y jueves durante el mes de julio. Todas las asociaciones escolares de Sarasota estan cerradas los viernes durante el verano. Les recomiendo que soliciten su registro este mes. Puede haber numerosas solicitudes y las escuelas estarán muy ocupadas en el mes de agosto cuando el ano escolar empiece.  Los documentos serán procesados de forma gratuita.

Otros documentos recomendados para el proceso de accion diferida:

• Cartas de aceptacion de una universidad
• Becas y premios obtenidos
• Records de trabajo voluntario, actividades extracurriculares y deportivas
• Cartas de apoyo de un maestro, empleadores, amigos, etc
• Los certificados de nacimiento de los niños

Para mas información sobre Acción Diferida vea:

1. “USCIS Aceptará Solicitudes Para Acción Diferida el 15 de Agosto”
2. “Deferred Action Applicants Should Collect Student Records Now”
3. “Abogados de Jaensch Immigration Law Firm Reciben con Aprobación el Anuncio de Acción Diferida”

ABOGADOS DE JAENSCH IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM RECIBEN CON APROBACIÓN EL ANUNCIO DE ACCIÓN DIFERIDA,

ADVIERTEN AL PÚBLICO DE FRAUDE POR “NOTARIOS”

Sarasota, FL – Abogados de Jaensch Immigration Law Firm recibieron con aprobación el anuncio reciente de la administración del Presidente Obama que inmigrantes jóvenes serán elegibles para solicitar “Acción Diferida” y la autorización de empleo. La política concederá a inmigrantes que son elegibles la oportunidad de vivir sin el miedo de ser deportado, y también les permitirá trabajar legalmente. Este anuncio lleva esperanza a inmigrantes y sus familias. Sin embargo, no es un arregló permanente, ni concede estatus legal permanente a ninguna persona.

Para ser elegible, un individuo tendrá que demonstrar que:

• vino a los Estados Unidos siendo menor de dieciséis años de edad;
• ha residido ininterrumpidamente en los Estados Unidos durante al menos cinco años antes de la fecha de este memorándum y está presente en los Estados Unidos en la fecha de este memorándum;
• está asistiendo actualmente a la escuela, se ha graduado de la enseñanza secundaria, ha obtenido un certificado de desarrollo de educación general, o es un veterano que ha sido dado de alta con honores de los Guardacostas o las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos;
• no ha sido condenado por un delito mayor, un delito menor significativo, múltiples delitos menores ni representa una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o la seguridad pública;
• no es mayor de treinta años de edad.

La acción diferida será disponible a individuos con casos en Corte de Inmigración, y también a individuos que solicitan el beneficio directamente con el Departamento de Inmigración.

La administración aun no está aceptando solicitudes para esta acción. En un plazo de sesenta días – en agosto – se espera que la administración de consejo e información sobre el proceso de solicitud para acción diferida y la autorización de empleo.

Si Usted no está en proceso de repatriación, NO solicite acción diferida en este momento. ¡Ojo con el fraude! Desafortunadamente, esta política puede abrir la puerta al fraude y decepción por “notarios.” En los Estados Unidos, los notarios no tienen la educación legal ni pueden actuar como abogado. Cualquier persona que dice que ya tiene la solicitud por acción diferida o que le pide honorarios para llenar una solicitud lo quiere estafar. El proceso para solicitar este beneficio no comienza hasta que sea anunciado por el gobierno federal. Su caso puede ser retrasado por causa de un notario, resultando en castigos, hasta deportación.

“¡Ten cuidado! No se ponga en peligro de ser descalificado por esta acción,” dijo Victoria Jeansch, una de los abogados de Jaensch Immigration Law Firm. “Asegúrase de que Usted hable con un abogado autorizado quien puede ayudarle con la solicitud y garantizar que Usted tiene la mejor posibilidad de beneficiarse de esta acción.”

Para más información, póngase en contacto con Jaensch Immigration Law Firm (941) 366-9841. Para más información sobre el anuncio, visite a www.aila.org/dream. También puede visitar www.ailalawyer.com para encontrar un abogado autorizado en su área.

Come out Tonight to the UnidosNow Forum on Deferred Action

A representative from Jaensch Immigration Law Firm will be speaking at the event as well as many other local immigration experts.  Tonight from 7-8pm at 1750 17th St.

UnidosNow Deferred Action Forum Flyer

Deferred Action Applicants Should Collect Student Records Now

Local Hispanic Community Organizer, UnidosNow, Advises Potential Deferred Action Applicants to Begin Collecting Student Records Immediately

In lieu of the June 15, 2012 immigration policy, parents and students who need student records will need to complete a “Student Record Request” (mark transcript and attendance-item 2). If your child is currently a student of a Sarasota County public school you may mail, fax or deliver the mentioned form to the 2012-2013 school. Elementary schools will not have the information for high school students. The cumulative file of each student “moves” with the student from school to school.

If you are a student who graduated from a Sarasota County School, please complete the “Student Record Request” , mark transcript, graduation verification and attendance as the records you are requesting. Mail, fax or deliver the form to the School Board of Sarasota County “Record Retention Center” at Osprey. The contact information is included in the form.

You may also access the student records request online here. Only high schools and the Record Retention Center might be opened in July from Monday through Thursday. All Sarasota School Board facilities are closed on Fridays during the summer months. There might be numerous requests for these documents and schools will be very busy in August with the new school year. I encourage you to process this request during the month of July. The documents will be processed free of charge.

Other documents for favorable use of discretion:

• College acceptance letters
• Scholarships/awards won
• Volunteer work, extracurricular activities and sports
• Letters of support from teachers, employers, friends, etc
• Birth certificates of children

The attorneys at Jaensch Immigration Law Firm can assist with record requests for its deferred action clients.

For more information check out:

• “FAQs on Deferred Action”
• “More FAQs on Deferred Action“
• “Sarasota Immigration Attorneys Welcome Deferred Action Announcement”
• Our original post on day of the Announcement