1. DACA: What’s At Stake Fred Tsao Eréndira “Ere” Rendon myforefront.org
The Resurrection Project
Fred Tsao
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Friday, September 29, 2017
myforefront.org

3. DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Main Points:
Welcome
Introduce yourself
If there is time, have everyone introduce themselves

4. DACA Basics Executive Action by President Obama In order to qualify:
Born after June 15, 1981
Arrived before turning 16
Arrived before June 15, 2007 & demonstrate continuous presence
Are currently in school, have graduated from high school or have obtained a GED
Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor, or more than three misdemeanors of any kind

5. Who are the DACAmented As of June 30, 2017: 793,026 Country DACA
Mexico
622,743
El Salvador
28,571
Guatemala
20,000
Honduras
18,385
Peru
9,102
South Korea
7,282
Brazil
7,400
Ecuador
6,725
Colombia
6,608
Philippines
4,674
State
DACA
California
223,749
Texas
124,774
Illinois
42,537
New York
42,503
Florida
33,207
Arizona
27,936
New Jersey
22,227
North Carolina
27,455
Georgia
24,234
Washington
17,937

6. Who are the DACAmented
Results from Tom K. Wong1 et al., 2017 National DACA Study
Impact on Economy
Increased average hourly wages by 42% from $9.83 per hour to $13.96 per hour
95 percent of survey respondents are currently employed or enrolled in school
54% reported buying their first car
12 % reported purchasing their first home
Education
46% of respondents are currently in school
4% high school or GED diploma
20% associate degree
4% trade, technical, or vocational certificate
70% bachelor’s degree or higher
Integration
90% reported obtaining a driver’s license or state identification card for the first time

7. DACA Initials
No more initial DACA applications are being accepted

8. DACA Renewals:
Anyone whose DACA expires before March 5, 2018, USCIS can renew, but must do so before October 5, 2017.
Anyone whose DACA expires after March 5, 2018 cannot renew.

9. What are financial options available to pay for the application?
USCIS fee for renewal applications is $495
Scholarships
Mexican Consulate
The Resurrection Project
Mission Asset Fund: lc4daca.org
Loan
Second Federal Saving Credit Union

10. Work Permits
DACAmented, have the right to legally work in the U.S. until their work permits expires.
Employer cannot fire; put on leave; or change work status until after work permit has expired.

11. Advanced Parole New advance parole applications will not be accepted.
Pending advance parole applications will be closed and fees will be refunded.
DACA recipients should seek legal assistance before traveling abroad if they have already been granted advance parole.
Main Points:

12. Social Security Numbers
SSN is a valid number for life
SSN can be used for education, banking, housing and/or other purposes
SSN contains a condition on it that requires a valid work permit to use it for employment purposes.
SSN can be used to pay taxes including on consulting income

13. How will DACA keep working?
Work permits are valid until their expiration date.
Once work permit expires, anyone can still work as an independent contractor or own a business.

14. How Can DACA Keep Going to School?
In-state Tuition is available to ALL Illinois Residents who have lived in IL for 3 years
The Chicago Star Scholarship in for City Colleges of Chicago is open to ALL Chicago students:
There are numerous private scholarships available
Main

15. What is Going to Happen with Sensitive Information?
When applying for DACA, application was submitted to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
USCIS is a separate department from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Being on USCIS’s radar does not mean DACA recipients will be placed in deportation proceedings
However, once DACA expires, DREAMers cannot use DACA to stop their deportation
Main Points:
USCIS and ICE are 2 different agencies. It’s not normal that they will communicate with each other unless there is a reason to. USCIS will not refer people to ICE automatically

16. Forefront Statewide DACA Webinar September 29, 2017

17. Driver’s Licenses Post-DACA
Illinois issues regular licenses to anyone with a valid Social Security number.
DACA recipients with current work permits can therefore get a license
BUT new applicants will be asked to provide immigration status documents; licenses will expire when the applicant’s DACA/ work permit will expire

18. Driver’s Licenses Post-DACA
Anyone who is not currently eligible for a Social Security number can get a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL).
TVDLs are valid for three years, are visually distinct from regular licenses and are not valid for government identification.
TVDLs are available at 36 Secretary of State facilities. Appointments are not necessary except at the Chicago North and West facilities.

19. Driver’s Licenses Post-DACA

20. Driver’s Licenses Post-DACA
DACA recipients who got licenses before July 1, 2016, and did not let their licenses lapse more than 12 months
should NOT be asked about their immigration status
should NOT provide documents or information indicating that they are not citizens or permanent residents.
In such cases, the Secretary of State should renew the license for a full 4 years

21. DREAM Act (S 1615/ HR 3440)
First filed in 2001; reintroduced in each Congress since then
Has historically received bipartisan support
Sponsored by Sens. Graham and Durbin, Reps. Roybal-Allard, Coffman, and Ros-Lehtinen
Currently has 9 Senate co-sponsors and 200 House co-sponsors

22. DREAM Act (S 1615/ HR 3440) Must have entered US before turning 18
Must have been present in US four years before enactment
Must not have left US more than 180 days total or 90 days on any single trip
Must have no lawful status; includes individuals with DACA and TPS
Must be admitted to institution of higher education, or must have earned high school diploma or GED, or enrolled in high school or GED program

23. DREAM Act (S 1615/ HR 3440)
People with previous removal orders can apply
Must pass criminal background check—can be disqualified for single felony or 3+ misdemeanors
Waivers may apply
Expunged offenses (which usually count for immigration purposes) might not count

24. DREAM Act (S 1615/ HR 3440)
Applicants initially apply for conditional status
Can apply for green cards after 8 years if they
Complete a bachelor’s degree or two years of college;
Serve two years in military or are honorably discharged;
Work three years (75% of time with work permit); or
Qualify for hardship exception
Applicants then qualify for citizenship after five more years with green cards

25. Recognizing America’s Children Act (HR 1468)
House Republican alternative to DREAM
First filed March 2017
Sponsored by Rep. Curbelo
34 cosponsors, all but one of whom are Republican

26. Recognizing America’s Children Act (HR 1468)
Must have entered US before turning 16 (cf 18 for DREAM)
Must have been present in US since 1/1/2012
Must not have left US more than 180 days total or 90 days on any single trip
Must have been physically present in US on 1/1/2012
Must be admitted to institution of higher education, or must have earned high school diploma or GED, or has a work permit

27. Recognizing America’s Children Act (HR 1468)
Must not have final removal orders (unless she was allowed to stay in US, or order was issued before she turned 18)
Must pass criminal background check—can be disqualified for single felony or any combination of misdemeanors for which total sentence is at least one year in prison. Waivers may apply
Must also meet more general “good moral character” standard (drugs, prostitution, gambling, alcohol abuse)

28. Recognizing America’s Children Act (HR 1468)
Applicants initially apply for conditional status – valid for 5 years
Can apply to renew conditional status if they
Enrolled in college;
Enlisted in military;
Worked 48 months
Applicants can apply for green cards after renewing conditional status—but must apply for green card within 10 years of getting conditional status
Applicants then qualify for citizenship after five more years with green cards

29. SUCCEED Act (S 1852)
“Solution for Undocumented Children through Careers Employment Education and Defending our nation”
Senate Republican alternative to DREAM
First filed September 2017
Sponsored by Sen. Tillis
2 cosponsors, both Republican

30. SUCCEED Act (S 1852)
Must have entered US before turning 16 (cf 18 for DREAM)
Must have been present in US since 6/15/2012
Must have been under 31 and out of status as of 6/15/2012
If 18 or older
Must have earned high school diploma or GED;
Must be enrolled in college; OR
Must be enlisted in US armed forces

31. SUCCEED Act (S 1852)
Must pass criminal background check—can be disqualified for single felony or significant misdemeanor
Must also meet more general “good moral character” standard (drugs, prostitution, gambling, alcohol abuse)
Must have paid any outstanding taxes
Must not have final removal orders (unless she was allowed to stay in US, or order was issued before she turned 18)

32. SUCCEED Act (S 1852) Applicants initially apply for conditional status
Applicant must sign waiver of any claims for most other forms of immigration benefit or relief
If applicant is under 18, conditional status is valid until the applicant turns 18
For applicants 18 or older, conditional status is valid for 5 years, during which they must
Earn a college or vocational degree;
Attended college for at least 8 semesters;
Serve 3 years in military; or
Work 48 out of 60 months

33. SUCCEED Act (S 1852)
Conditional residents who fulfill one of these requirements, pay taxes, and keep a clean criminal record can renew for 5 more years
Conditional residents can then apply for green card after 10 years of getting conditional status
Status can be terminated if an applicant
Fails to enroll in school within one year
Enlists but fails to complete basic training within one year
Fails to maintain employment for more than one year
Fails to meet other requirements

34. SUCCEED Act (S 1852)
Applicants who get green cards then qualify for citizenship after five more years
“Individuals would not be able to petition immediate relatives to immigrate to the U.S…. while they go through the legalization process.” (no “chain migration”)

35. American Hope Act (HR 3591) More generous alternative to DREAM
First filed July 2017
Sponsored by Rep. Luis Gutierrez with 153 other cosponsors (all Democrats)

36. American Hope Act (HR 3591) Must have entered US before turning 18
Must have been present in US since 12/31/2016
Must not have left US more than 180 days total or 90 days on any single trip
Must have no lawful immigration status (might be eligible even with final removal order)

37. American Hope Act (HR 3591) Must pass criminal background check
Can be disqualified for certain convictions, but waivers may apply

38. American Hope Act (HR 3591)
Applicants initially apply for conditional status – valid for 8 years
Can apply for green cards after 3 years if
Pass criminal background check
Not convicted of certain crimes
Not abandoned residence in US
Time with DACA counts toward the 3 year requirement
Applicants then qualify for citizenship after five years with green cards—but time with conditional status counts toward 5 year requirement

39. BRIDGE Act (HR 496)
Stopgap measure to protect DACAmented individuals while Congress approves a more permanent solution
First introduced January 2017
Sponsored by Rep. Coffman
31 total co-sponsors: 16 Democrats, 15 Republicans

40. BRIDGE Act (HR 496) Requirements are identical to DACA
Individuals who have DACA or would be eligible for DACA can get provisional protected presence (PPP) for three years
No provisions beyond three years

41. Basic Know-Your-Rights Information
Everyone – whether documented, DACAmented, or undocumented -- has rights in this country.
Do not open the door unless the agents have a warrant signed by a judge
Do not sign any documents you do not understand
Remain silent
Ask to speak with an attorney

42. Basic Know-Your-Rights Information
Family Support Hotline 855-HELP-MY-FAMILY

43. myforefront.org