Deferred Action: Do I qualiy?

Do I qualify? That was the most common question in the first forum about Deferred Action, sponsored by the DREAM Act Oklahoma, held last Aug. 15 in East Tulsa.

Aug. 15 was the very first day to apply for consideration of Deferred Action for childhood arrival process – a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion. It does not confer lawful status upon an individual. "It is important to be informed and that is what we are doing today," said Tracey Medina, active member of the organizing group, to almost 300 people who gathered at the activity center at Plaza Santa Cecilia, also called: the Hispanic Mall in Tulsa. "Requirements and conditions are very specific. We will answer questions."

To request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals, undocumented immigrants must meet the following requirements:

1. 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. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of 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; and
7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

This measure does not mean the granting of permanent residence or a path to citizenship. It is a temporary solution, for two years.

Two "Dreamers"

Two young immigrants shared their stories about the Deferred Action.

For Miguel Becerra, 19, originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, "temporary relief is a wrench that opens the doors," he said. "I arrived in Tulsa when he was 11 years old and without this measure it would not be possible to fulfill my dreams of becoming an architect."

Becerra, who graduated from high school in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, considered this action as a political move, deeply related to the November General Election. "It is the conquest of the Hispanic vote. Yes, I know that, but it doesn't matter,” he said. “This is not a gift, we fought for this and the requirements are very rigid. Not everyone will qualify. I do qualify, so my duty is to study and study a lot."

Wearing a shirt that displayed "I´m Undocumented", Iván Godinez, 25, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, could not hide his joy by the Deferred Action. "It is like starting to live again," he said. “It gives meaning to all the sacrifice my parents have made. Deferred Action means stop working in a restaurant and be able to develop what I have studied for,” adding "finally my dreams of becoming a journalist, follow my studies in sociology will become true."

Godinez said that “June 15 is a day still very blurry. My life has changed. I want to study more, succeed and help my family.”

Young immigrants, who meet the requirements, can begin to request consideration deferred action and temporary relief immediately.

For more information you can call 1-800-375-5283 or visit the website www.uscis.gov

Information in Tulsa

DREAM Act Oklahoma

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DreamActOklahomaTulsa

Twitter: @ Dreamact_OK

Catholic Charities

(918) 949-4673

YWCA Multicultural Center

(918) 663-0001