Currently, the United States government is in the process of changing the general landscape and the particular regulations of immigration law. If you came to the US illegally or if you entered the country legally and overstayed the visa, the new proposed law may benefit you. It is important to work with an immigration lawyer such as Raphael Scheetz who can help you understand these changes and know your rights and options.
At the Law Office of Raphael M. Scheetz we remain fully informed as the legal landscape changes, so that our clients will have the information they need for their immigration goals.

Deferred Action for Parents (DAPA)

DAPA is one of the proposed new regulations that will provide temporary protection from deportation. If a person qualifies for DAPA, it means that the person is legally authorized to remain in the United States temporarily and to receive employment authorization. A grant of deferred action does not provide a path to lawful permanent resident status or U.S. citizenship. The regulations concerning DAPA are currently in a “holding pattern” while the case is decided by the United States Supreme Court. The DAPA program will only go into effect if the Supreme Court decides that the DAPA regulations are legal.

If approved, the DAPA process will be available to people who meet the criteria outlined below. Those who receive deferred action under the DAPA program will receive employment authorization for a three-year period.

You May Qualify for DAPA if you:

• Have, as of November 20, 2014, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident son or daughter of any age;
• Have continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 2010;
• Are physically present in the United States on November 20, 2014, and at the time of making a DAPA request;
• Have no lawful status on November 20, 2014;

Disqualifying factors include:

• Certain criminal convictions and/or border violations;
• National security concerns;
• Gang associations; or,
• Certain visa violations.