The Obama administration created the Deferred Action Plan for immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16 and are currently enrolled in high school, graduated from high school, or have served in the military. If immigrants meet these qualifications and do not have an extensive military record, they can stay in the United States for two years without the fear of deportation.
This program has received a tepid response from the immigrants who are expected to benefit from the plan. Statistics show that less than 15 percent of young immigrants who are eligible for President Obama's deferred action plan have actually applied. The top five states with the largest numbers of potentially eligible immigrants include California, Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois. Approximately 100,000 young immigrants stand to benefit from the Deferred Action Plan in Florida alone, and Florida law also permits immigrants with work permits to obtain driver's licenses as well.
The two main reasons why undocumented immigrants are hesitant to apply for this program are fear and politics. In order to apply, immigrants must fill out a six-page form that includes an address and multiple documents that prove that they have actually lived in the country. They must also include documents that prove that they are under the age of 31 and must have come to the United States before they turned 16.
The most stressful part of applying is that there is no chance to appeal applications that are denied. The steps involved with filling out these applications are not only time-consuming, but legally complex as well. If the application is incomplete or incorrectly filled out, it will be sent back to the applicant to resolve the problems. Once the application is accepted, it will be reviewed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and a final decision will be made. Applicants must also pass a background check, and the total fee of applying for the program is $465.
The second thing that is hindering undocumented immigrants from applying for this program is politics. With the recent announcement by Mitt Romney that he would shut down deferred action if he was elected president and replace it with "permanent reform of our broken immigration system", many young immigrants have decided to wait on applying for the program. For some immigrants who are desperate to avoid deportation, it is better to apply and take their chances. Others are choosing to wait and see who is elected. For more information on the Deferred Action Plan and how it affects you, contact a Tampa immigration lawyer at Maney & Gordon, P.A. today.
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