The Community of Friends in Action is working with other groups to educate both the immigrant community and U.S. citizens around the President’s announcements about immigration.
Known as DAPA (Deferred Action for Parental Accountablity and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) the programs would allow those who qualify to stay in the United States and get permission to work for three years.
It does not mean that a person with an approved deferred action request has legal immigration status, a visa or a green card. And it is not a path to citizenship. However, a person with deferred action is protected from deportation temporarily, and is eligible for a work permit.
CoFiA’s staff person Elias is presenting information at the Monday lunch programs on the new actions. Although few of the day workers would be eligible, it is important for everyone to know what is in the announcement, and to be sure that those who may be eligible will be prepared with the proper documentation when the applications are ready. For DAPA, applications will be available on May 20, 2015, and for DACA, on February 18, 2015.
It is also very important for people to know there is nothing to be done at this time. Unfortunately, some abogados and notarios are urging people to sign contacts with them and pay them fees, even though there is nothing to be done now.
CoFiA will host a seminar on Monday, February 23, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. The speaker will be Attorney Michael Wildes, a well-known immigration lawyer. The program will be in both Spanish and English.
For more information send an email to us at info@communityoffriendsinaction.org.