EXECUTIVE ACTION IMMIGRATION WORKSHOP

Presented by: Cowles & Thompson, P.C.

EXECUTIVE ACTION PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT CHANGES

• Employment based Green cards – increased efficiency for faster processing

• Increased portability for employment green card applicants

• H-4 work authorization

• Expansion of NIW and temporary parole as option for entrepreneurs, researchers, and inventors

EXECUTIVE ACTION PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT CHANGES

(CONT)

• F-1 Students Optional Practical Training (OPT) expansion of STEM fields and extension of OPT beyond 29 months

• Review and modernize PERM labor certification processes

• Enforcement group to protect immigrant rights

DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA) AND DEFERRED

ACTION FOR PARENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY (DAPA)

BRIEFLY…•DACA and DAPA provides temporary protection against deportation/removal for those who qualify.

• If approved, a person is eligible to stay and work in the U.S for a period of time.

DACA REQUIREMENTS

Came to the U.S. before age 16;

Have continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 2010; and

Physically present in the U.S. on November 20, 2014 and at the time of making the request

DACA REQUIREMENTS

•Currently in school, graduated from high school or have a GED

•Or have been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.

Old DACA New DACAEntered the US before age 16 Entered the US before age 16

Entered before 6/7/2007 Entered before 1/1/2010

OUT of STATUS as of 06/15/2012

OUT of STATUS as of 11/20/2014

Lived continuously in the US since 06/15/2012

Lived continuously in the US since 01/01/2010

Under 31 years old as of 06/15/2012

No age limit!

Term 2 years Term 3 years

DAPA REQUIREMENTS Has U.S. citizen or permanent resident child as of November 20, 2014,

Have continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 2010,

Physically present in the U.S. on November 20, 2014 and at the time of making the request, and

Has paid or is willing to pay taxes owed

DACA AND DACA REQUIREMENTS

Have not been convicted of:

•Felony

•Significant Misdemeanor

•Multiple Minor Misdemeanors

DACA AND DACA BENEFITS

• Protection from deportation (“removal”)

• Employment Authorization (EAD)

• Social Security Number (SS#)

• Drivers license (State-by-state issue)

What should I do

to prepare?

PROOF OF IDENTITY

•Official Birth Certificate

•Passport/MatriculaConsular

• Identification Cards from school, work, membership, driver’s license

PROOF OF USC/LPR CHILDREN

FOR DAPA APPLICANTS

You will need your child’s:

•Official U.S. Birth Certificate

• If child was not born in U.S. , get official birth certificate, and•Green Card or

•US Passport or

•US naturalization certificate

PROOF OF PRESENCE•School records

•Bank statements

• Immunization Records

•Church Records

•Work Records -W-2s or 1099

• Tax Returns

•Phone Records

• Lease/Ownership Property Records

CRIMINAL RECORDS

FUTURE RECORDS

• Keep all documents related to the offense

• Don’t have a future record

PAST RECORDS

• Request certified copies from the court

• Proof of expunged records

CONSULT WITH A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY REGARDING

ANY CRIMINAL MATTER.

FAMILY UNITY WAIVER (I-601A)

What does it do ?

• Allows individuals who have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence in the U.S. to obtain a green card

Who does it help?

• The spouse, sons and daughters of U.S. citizens AND

• The spouse, sons or daughters of legal permanent residents

What is Required?

An approved family petition and an immigrant visa available

WHY YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY

Immigration applications are never “just forms.” There are complex legal rules and consequences to every application.

Facts of each case are different. The information provided here is general in nature and should not be relied upon for specific situations and is not legal advice.

Consult with an experienced immigration attorney to get the right advice.

WHAT AN ATTORNEY SHOULD DO FOR YOU

Advise you of the law and your options

Thoroughly review your case facts Recommend your best course of

action Represent and defend you before

the government Prepare or review all legal

documentsMonitor the status of your case

GET QUALIFIED HELP! AVOID IMMIGRATION

SCAMS

ATTORNEY QUALIFICATIONS

•Focused on immigration law

•Reputation for excellent service, trustworthy, and quick response to clients

• Lots of experience in immigration cases

•Strong organization

CONSULTATIONS

Complete questionnaire

Meet with Cowles & Thompson

attorney for 10 minutes

Get information on How to

Hire Attorney for Fastest

Service

Provide contact

information for

immigration updates

Cowles & Thompson, PC901 Main Street, Suite 3900

Dallas, Texas 75202

214-672-2000 Telephoneimmigration@cowlesthompson.com

Marilou Martinez Stevens

CPA & Associates, P.C.

851 S RL Thornton Freeway

Suite #102

Dallas, TX 75203

Tel: 214-946-9326

Fax: 214-946-2834

FEDERAL TAX RETURNS

1. What is a ITIN(individual tax identification

Number)? How is one obtained?

2. If I have not filed federal tax returns, how many

years of taxes return most I filed? Will I pay taxes?

3. When should I start filing my tax returns?

4. What if I did not keep any records to prepare tax

returns?

5. Difference between employee and contractor?