By Michael Wildes and Raquel Wildes

Michael Wildes is the managing partner of the leading U.S. immigration law firm, Wildes & Weinberg, P.C., www.wildeslaw.com, which specializes in employment and investment-based immigration, business and treaty visas, labor certification/job offer sponsorship for permanent residence, naturalization/U.S. citizenship, Form I-9 compliance, family-based immigration, student and religious worker visas, and all other temporary and permanent visas. Mr. Wildes is a former Federal Prosecutor and recently completed two terms as the Mayor of Englewood, NJ, where he resides. Feel free to check out his Facebook page or email him at michael@wildeslaw.com if he can be of any assistance to you or someone you know.

Raquel Wildes is a sophomore at Columbia University. She is a former editorial intern for Savvy Auntie and a contributing writer to Columbia's daily newspaper.

There are millions of children throughout the United States who were brought to this country illegally, who, until now, had no future in the USA. They were not eligible for education beyond high school and could not find jobs on the books.

On Friday, June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, announced a new policy referred to as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which was established to grant "deferred action" to some undocumented youth currently living in the United States. Effective immediately, certain people who were brought to America as young children, and who do not present a risk to national security or public safety, will be considered for relief from deportation or from entering into removal proceedings. Those who qualify will receive this status for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization.

Individuals who meet the following criteria are now eligible for this benefit upon examination by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service/Department of Homeland Security (USCIS/DHS). These include persons who:

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
2. Came to the United States before reaching their 16th birthday
3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time
4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS
5. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or their 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 have been honorably discharged as a veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
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

Submission of applications for deferred action status began on August 15, 2012.
 
This new policy can help keep your law-abiding loved ones - including your immigrant nieces and nephews -  out of the shadows where fear of removal is ever-present, and provide them with the tools to a long and successful life in America.

Photo: Stuart Miles
Published: August 17, 2012