Local nonprofits flooded with calls from immigrants seeking ‘deferred action’
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| A volunteer at Just Neighbors helps a client apply for deferred action. |
Since the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Aug. 15 that is opening the door a crack
to let undocumented youths apply to work here for two years without fear of
deportation, the phones have been ringing nonstop at Annandale/Mason-area nonprofit
organizations that assist immigrants.
to let undocumented youths apply to work here for two years without fear of
deportation, the phones have been ringing nonstop at Annandale/Mason-area nonprofit
organizations that assist immigrants.
To apply for what
USCIS calls “deferred action,” individuals must be 30 or younger; a high school
graduate or in school or honorably discharged from the U.S. military; came to
the U.S. when they were under age 16; and continuously lived in the states for
at least five years. They cannot have been convicted of a crime or pose a
threat to national security or public safety.
USCIS calls “deferred action,” individuals must be 30 or younger; a high school
graduate or in school or honorably discharged from the U.S. military; came to
the U.S. when they were under age 16; and continuously lived in the states for
at least five years. They cannot have been convicted of a crime or pose a
threat to national security or public safety.
The new policy is
not a path to legal status or citizenship, and individuals will have to reapply
every two years. But it does allow them to apply for a work permit.
“That means they can
come out of the shadows and start contributing to the community,” says Rob
Rutland-Brown, executive directors of Just Neighbors, a non-profit organization
that provides assistance to immigrants.
come out of the shadows and start contributing to the community,” says Rob
Rutland-Brown, executive directors of Just Neighbors, a non-profit organization
that provides assistance to immigrants.
“We’ve been
inundated with folks wanting to apply. Within the first 24 hours, we scheduled
77 people. There’s a lot of excitement,” Rutland-Brown says.
inundated with folks wanting to apply. Within the first 24 hours, we scheduled
77 people. There’s a lot of excitement,” Rutland-Brown says.
Just Neighbors has
had to bring in extra volunteers to help with the volume. About 30 people
responded to an email seeking volunteers. “I’ve been impressed with how many
people have stepped up,” he says. Approximately 14,000 people in Virginia are
eligible for deferred action.
had to bring in extra volunteers to help with the volume. About 30 people
responded to an email seeking volunteers. “I’ve been impressed with how many
people have stepped up,” he says. Approximately 14,000 people in Virginia are
eligible for deferred action.
There are a lot of
documentation requirements, and for the most part, people coming to Just
Neighbors have been very well organized, Rutland-Brown says. To prove they’ve
lived in the country for five years, they have to bring school report cards,
transcripts, utility bills, medical records, or something like that with their
address.
documentation requirements, and for the most part, people coming to Just
Neighbors have been very well organized, Rutland-Brown says. To prove they’ve
lived in the country for five years, they have to bring school report cards,
transcripts, utility bills, medical records, or something like that with their
address.
“We’ve been swamped
with folks wanting help,” says Dan Choi, an attorney with the Falls Church
branch of the Legal Aid Justice Center.
with folks wanting help,” says Dan Choi, an attorney with the Falls Church
branch of the Legal Aid Justice Center.
That organization
has been doing presentations on deferred action for community groups and
coordinating with other organizations, including Just Neighbors, Ayuda, Catholic Charities, and the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO).
has been doing presentations on deferred action for community groups and
coordinating with other organizations, including Just Neighbors, Ayuda, Catholic Charities, and the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO).
“The response is
overwhelming,” says VACOLAO Chair Edgar Aranda, who notes that more than 260
people showed up at a mid-day information session on deferred action at St. Charles Barromeo Catholic Church in Clarendon.
overwhelming,” says VACOLAO Chair Edgar Aranda, who notes that more than 260
people showed up at a mid-day information session on deferred action at St. Charles Barromeo Catholic Church in Clarendon.
“We’re giving
general consultations” to young immigrants, Choi says. “A lot of young people
will be able to work for the first time. Most of these people don’t even speak
Spanish because they grew up here.”
general consultations” to young immigrants, Choi says. “A lot of young people
will be able to work for the first time. Most of these people don’t even speak
Spanish because they grew up here.”
Deferred action is
a “short-term solution,” he says. It doesn’t go as far as the Dream Act, which
would allow eligible young immigrants to eventually seek citizenship and pay the in-state tuition rate for higher education.
a “short-term solution,” he says. It doesn’t go as far as the Dream Act, which
would allow eligible young immigrants to eventually seek citizenship and pay the in-state tuition rate for higher education.
Aranda says it’s crucial that people applying for deferred action fill out
the forms correctly and bring the appropriate documentation. The filing fee is $465, and if they are rejected, they cannot apply again. There is no appeals process. VACOLAO’s
presentations include warnings to immigrants to make sure they don’t get
involved with scam artists who will take advantage of them.
the forms correctly and bring the appropriate documentation. The filing fee is $465, and if they are rejected, they cannot apply again. There is no appeals process. VACOLAO’s
presentations include warnings to immigrants to make sure they don’t get
involved with scam artists who will take advantage of them.
“It’s a great
opportunity for young immigrants,” he says. “They will be able to
contribute to the economy.”
opportunity for young immigrants,” he says. “They will be able to
contribute to the economy.”
2 responses to “Local nonprofits flooded with calls from immigrants seeking ‘deferred action’”
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Mayb they can get hired explaining to people how to maintain their property and how to use a trash can.
Very ignorant commenter! I didn't know immigrants failed to maintain their properties or litter. I wonder if this commenter maintains his/her property and has NEVER littered.