President Obama's Deferred Action Law for Immigrants

The federal government has a new policy called “deferred action” that will allow young people to remain in the United States and give them permission to work.  In order to be granted deferred action, you must satisfy several requirements.  You must (1) be at least 15 years old to apply; (2) have been under 30 years old on June 15, 2012; (3) have come to the USA before the age of 16; (4) have lived in the USA since June 15, 2007; (5) have been present in the USA on June 15, 2012; (6) be currently enrolled in school OR have graduated high school OR have obtained your GED OR have been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or armed forces; and (7) not have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors or pose a threat to national security.  Even if you are in deportation proceedings or have already been ordered removed from the USA, you are eligible to apply for deferred action.  In the coming weeks, the government will announce its procedure for accepting applications.