New policy protects child immigrants that qualify

August 29, 2012

HOUSTON — On June 15, the Obama Administration announced a new immigration benefit for individuals who came to the U.S. as children. Under the new policy, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, many young people can qualify for protection from deportation and for permission to work. Potential applicants may qualify if they came to the U.S. under the age of 16; lived in the U.S. for at least five years at the time of the announcement; are currently in school, graduated from high school, obtained a GED, or is an honorably discharged veteran; have not been convicted of certain crimes and were under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012. This new policy will officially be available on Aug. 15, 2012. In the meantime, staff members at the Catholic Charities’ St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance, 2900 Louisiana St., have been engaging in community outreach informing potential applicants of the details of the new policy and warning against notario fraud. Anyone interested in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals can contact the Cabrini Center at 713-874-6570.