On 15 June 2012 DHS announced that undocumented immigrant youth who do not pose a risk to national security or public safety and meet several other criteria will no longer face the threat of deportation. Individuals who meet the criteria are eligible for deferred action for two years, subject to renewal, and may apply for work authorization. The action enhances DHS’ ability to focus on priority removals by expanding the process of prosecutorial discretion to all low-risk, DREAM-eligible youth. Deferred action requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and do not confer any substantive rights or provide a path to citizenship.
Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible for the exercise of discretion: (1) arrived in the United States while under the age of 16; (2) continuously resided in the United States for five years to date and currently reside in the United States; (3) currently attend school, graduated from high school, obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veteran from the U.S. Coast Guard or Armed Forces; (4) not convicted of a felony offense, significant misdemeanor, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise represent a threat to national security or public safety; and (5) not older than 30. Only individuals who prove through verifiable documentation that they meet these criteria will be eligible for deferred action.
