Immigration Accountability Executive Action

President Barack Obama has announced the Immigration Accountability Executive Action to focus the enforcement resources of the federal government on criminals and require accountability from qualifying undocumented immigrants who can not only earn protection from deportation but also authorization to work if they register with the government, pay taxes and for the processing of their own background checks. The President has announced a series of steps that he has taken under his executive authority that will be implemented in the coming weeks and months.

CAN IMMIGRANTS EARN CITIZENSHIP OR A GREEN CARD THROUGH THIS PROGRAM?
No. This executive action does not create a path to citizenship or a Green Card for anyone who does not already qualify under existing law.

Instead, these action expand the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for immigrants who came to the U.S. as children in the following ways:

• Those who entered the U.S. before January 1, 2010, regardless of how old they are today, are now eligible.
• And going forward, DACA relief will be granted for three years.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DACA EXPANSION AND FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

It also creates a new program, Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA), to require undocumented immigrants who meet the following criteria to come forward and register with the government:

• Lived in the United States for FIVE YEARS or longer
• Have a U.S. citizen child or Lawful Permanent Resident child who was born before the date of the announcement, November 20, 2014.
• Pass a background check and pay taxes

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW DAPA PROGRAM AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

CAN I APPLY NOW?
No! It will take the federal government at least six months to be ready for individuals to apply for DAPA and about three months for newly eligible immigrants to apply for DACA. More information will be posted as soon as it is available about how and when you can begin to apply. Do not be a victim to anyone who suggests you can apply now or that they can give you a spot at the front of the line for a fee. It's just not true. Keep checking this website and speak with trusted community based organizations.

HOW CAN I GET READY?
You can begin to gather documents that establish your identity, family ties, and presence in the United States. I have gathered a list of documents that MAY be helpful to gather now. As the government announces more details about how to apply and what types of documents are required, this list will be updated. You see the list at : gutierrez.house.gov/docs.

The President announced additional steps to reform our immigation enforcement and priorities. Learn more details here.