Immigration law blog

Breaking Down the Federal Judge's Decision on DACA

In the video below, Lesley Irizarry-Hougan, an immigration lawyer, reviews the federal judge's decision that ruled DACA (for DREAMers) unlawful and discusses the implications.

Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Lesley has been practicing law since July, 2005. She has significant experience in representing clients in Immigration Court, both detained and non-detained cases; appeals from immigration judge decisions, both at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Lesley is actively involved in her community, regularly volunteering at the Latina/o Bar Association Legal Clinic and the King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinic. Lesley Irizarry-Hougan ha estado practicando exclusivamente leyes de inmigración desde Julio del 2005. Ella tiene experiencia significante representando clientes en la Corte de Inmigración; apelando las decisiones del juez de inmigración, ambos a la Corte de Apelaciones de Estados Unidos para el Noveno Circuito y la Corte de Distrito de Estados Unidos para el Oeste de Washington. Lesley también se especializa en aplicaciones afirmativas, incluyendo aplicaciones para la tarjeta verde (Mica), asilo, NACARA, y aplicaciones de ciudadanía archivado en los Estados Unidos y Servicios de Inmigración. Lesley también hace certificaciones de trabajo, incluyendo aplicaciones de cocineros especializados. Ella habla español nativo.

DACA Update (August 1) - Regarding DHS Memo

DACA Update (August 1) - Regarding DHS Memo

Immigration lawyer, Lesley Irizarry-Hougan, discusses the DHS memo setting the stage to possibly to deny new applications, 1-year DACA renewals, and DACA advance parole. Link to memo and mentioned Facebook post: https://bit.ly/39NQud1

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El DACA será anulado! Favor de leer respuestas a las preguntas más frecuentes.

El DACA será anulado! Favor de leer respuestas a las preguntas más frecuentes.

El 5 de Septiembre del 2017, el presidente anuncia la emisión de un memorandum oficial que anulará la existencia del DACA.

Por favor, consulte con un abogado experimentado en inmigración si es que usted actualmente tiene el status del DACA, para que así, se pueda evaluar otras posibilidades de conseguir un status permanente de inmigración, especialmente si usted está casado con un ciudadano Americano o un Residente Permanente, o si ha sido víctima de un crimen dentro de los EE.UU, o si es que usted es menor de 21 años...

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DACA is Ending. Read Responses to Frequently Asked Questions.

DACA is Ending. Read Responses to Frequently Asked Questions.

The President’s announcement on September 5, 2017, and issuance of an official memo, will end DACA.

Please consult with an experienced immigration lawyer if you currently have DACA status. The lawyer will explore if you might be able to get permanent immigration status through another way, especially if you are married to a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, have been the victim of a crime inside the U.S., or are under 21 years old...

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Federal Injunction Blocks DAPA and Expansion of DACA

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced several important changes to the program known as “DACA” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). These changes expand eligibility for the program. He also announced a new program known as “DAPA” (Deferred Action for Parental Accountability), for parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) planned to begin accepting DACA applications under the new guidelines on February 18, 2015 and DAPA applications in mid-to-late May of 2015. However, a federal court judge has just issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the federal government from implementing these changes.

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Amparo Federal Bloquea DAPA y Expansión de DACA

El 20 de noviembre del 2014, el Presidente Obama anunció varios cambios importantes en el programa conocido como "DACA" (Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia). Estos cambios expanden la elegibilidad para el programa. También anunció un nuevo programa conocido como "DAPA" (Acción Diferida para la Responsabilidad de los Padres), para los padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes permanentes legales. El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS), planeaba comenzar a aceptar solicitudes de DACA bajo las nuevas directrices el 18 de febrero del 2015 y aplicaciones de DAPA a mediados o finales de mayo del 2015. Sin embargo, un juez de la corte federal acaba de publicar una medida cautelar preliminar, bloqueando al gobierno federal de implementar estos cambios.

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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has Expanded!

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has Expanded!

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced several important changes to the program known as “DACA” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). These changes expand eligibility for the program. If your application is approved, you will be granted “deferred action” for three years, which means the government will not take action to remove you from the United States, and you will be given a work permit. “DACA” is not permanent residency, nor is it a path to permanent residency, and it does not give an individual permission to travel outside of the United States and then reenter.

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Las Renovaciones de Acción Diferida de la Infancia Llegadas (DACA)

Las Renovaciones de Acción Diferida de la Infancia Llegadas (DACA)

Si su primera petición de dos años de acción diferida de la Infancia Llegadas (DACA) está a punto de caducar, puede solicitar la renovación de su documento de autorización de empleo (EAD).  Con el fin de asegurarse de que su EAD no caduque antes de que la nueva sea aprobada, usted debe presentar su solicitud de renovación 120 días (4 meses) antes de que su período de acción diferida caduque.

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Renewals of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Renewals of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

If your initial two-year grant of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is expiring, then you may request a renewal of your employment authorization document (EAD). In order to make sure that your EAD does not expire before the new one is approved, you should submit your renewal request about 120 days (4 months) before your current period of deferred action will expire.

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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewal

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewal

In a previous blog post, we explained what Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is, and who qualifies. Recently, USCIS announced that it is beginning the renewal process for certain types of DACA recipients (only those granted DACA through by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from June 15, 2012 to August 15, 2012.) However, USCIS also has given guidelines for what to expect for all other DACA recipients to renew and receive a work permit for another two years.

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What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?

What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?

Immigration reform has been a hotly debated political topic for years now. It seemed inevitable just a couple of years ago that immigration reform would happen, granting new alternatives for people living in the U.S. without proper status. Although immigration reform may eventually happen, (see article) the Obama administration has offered short-term relief to certain people who arrived to the U.S. under the age of 16.

This program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), began on August 15, 2012. While it does not offer permanent lawful status, it does grant a two-year work permit. 

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L.I.H. Law, P.S., Immigration Lawyer, Seattle, WA