August 18th Free Forum on Deferred Action for DREAMers
AALAC To Host a Free Forum on Deferred Action for Undocumented Youth – Chinese and Korean translators available
The Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC) will co-host a free public forum on Saturday, August 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the deferred action announced by the Department of Homeland Security to benefit certain young people who arrived to the United States as children. The forum is co-hosted in partnership with the Latin American Association and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO).
“There are many Asian-American children who are unable to realize their dreams because they lack a path to citizenship,” said Helen Kim Ho, AALAC’s Executive Director. Immigrants from India and Korea make up the 6th and 7th largest undocumented groups in the US according to a 2009 DHS report while the Filipino community in America has the highest number of undocumented youth according to APALC. “Until our outdated federal immigration laws are reformed, we hope this deferred action will provide some assistance to kids who otherwise have few options,” said Ho.
Key speakers at the event include Edly Vliet from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services who will discuss the details of the deferred action and application process, requirements and fees. We will also feature immigration and criminal law attorneys who will speak on how your current immigration status and criminal history may impact eligibility, as well as a public school representative who will explain how to obtain school documents required for the application. We will take questions from the audience and Chinese and Korean translators will be available.
The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that young people meeting the following requirements will be considered for deferred action for two years and may obtain work authorization:
1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
2. Came to the United States before reaching age 16;
3. Have continuously resided in the US since June 15, 2007 up to the present time;
4. Were physically present in the US on June 15, 2012 and at the time of making request for consideration of deferred action;
5.Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012 or 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 US; 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.
Individuals may begin to request consideration of deferred action on August 15, 2012.
What: Free Public Forum on Deferred Action Process and Application for Undocumented Youth
When: Saturday, August 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Latin American Association Building, 2750 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30324.
To download a PDF of the flyer, click here.
