DAPA and DACA requirements

By Linda Vega

As the Supreme Court nears hearing the case on Executive Action that could potentially affect over 5 million undocumented people. If upheld by the Supreme Court in late May or early June, under this new executive order, about 80% of those who will benefit from the new DACA/DAPA are Mexican families in the southwest and Texas.

Here is the latest on the requirements for the DAPA, Deferred Action for Parental Accountability.

You may be considered for DAPA if you:

• Have lived in the United States continuously since Jan. 1, 2010, up to the present time;

• Were physically present in the United States on Nov. 20, 2014, and at the time of making your request for consideration of DAPA with USCIS;

• Had no lawful status on Nov. 20, 2014;

• Had, on Nov. 20, 2014, a son or daughter, of any age or marital status, who is a U.S. citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident (LPR); and

• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors; do not otherwise pose a threat to national security; and are not an enforcement priority for removal.

For DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals the following remain the same. As soon as we have a go with the NEW requirements, we will let you know.

You may request DACA if you:

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;

2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;

3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;

4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;

5. Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;

6. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;

7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor,or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Linda Vega is The Founder of Latinos Ready to Vote and a former Candidate for the U.S. Senate from Texas. Linda Vega graduated from the University of Texas in Austin and the George Washington Law School in D.C. She worked for The Department of Labor, and she is currently in private practice at THE VEGA LAW FIRM. Her areas of expertise are in Immigration and Labor/Employment-Labor Law. In 2012, Linda Vega was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Family Practice Residency Advisory Committee.