IMMIGRATIONEXECUTIVE ACTIONS

Prepared by Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Updated: April 2015

“Disciples are an immigrant denomination, having been formed by and for immigrants on the frontier and growing in size, in recent years, through the addition of immigrant congregations. Throughout our history, Disciples have had specific ministries of welcome to immigrants coming to the United States and Canada. That ministry has been carried out by congregations, regions, and general ministries.”

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That ministry continues today.

“Within our own Disciples congregations, the President’s announced protections will allow a young woman who just missed previous entrance deadlines to now be eligible to apply for the expanded DACA program, and another woman who has served behind the scenes in one of our churches for the past 20 years will now have the chance to apply for Deferred Action for Parents. Announced protections will keep undocumented, taxpaying parents of U.S. citizens together with their children. Some undocumented church leaders will now be able to obtain stability as they continue their long years of service to God and neighbor. Recognizing that the President’s action is only temporary, I join those Disciples who continue to advocate for immigration reform legislation that is just, humane and compassionate.”

-The Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president

Expanded DACADeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

DAPADeferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents

Texas v. U.S.

Pending litigation in a federal court case filed by officials from 26 states against the federal government may impact implementation of the DAPA and Expanded DACA programs. Get the latest information from disciplesimmigration.org.

Important Terms

USCIS = U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, the agency within the Department of Homeland Security that administers immigration benefits

Deferred Action = an exercise of prosecutorial discretion designating someone as a low priority for removal (deportation) for a certain period of time; it does not provide lawful status

Employment Authorization Document = known as a “work permit,” allows an immigrant to work lawfully in the U.S.

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) = someone with a green card; legally allowed to live, work and study in the U.S. indefinitely

DACA

Requirements of DACA:• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012• Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to

the present time• Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the

time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of

completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States

• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

Requirements of Expanded DACA• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012• Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, January

1, 2010 up to the present time• Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the

time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of

completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States

• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

DAPA

Requirements of DAPA:

• Have continually resided in the U.S. since January 1, 2010

Requirements of DAPA:

• On November 20, 2014 you had a son or daughter who as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

• Present in the U.S. on November 20, 2014

Requirements of DAPA:

• Have no legal immigration status on November 20, 2014

Requirements of DAPA:

• Not be a priority for immigration enforcement– Criminal conviction– Gang participation– Terrorism, espionage, national

security threat– Immigration violations

Requirements of DAPA:

• Merit the exercise of discretion

Requirements of DAPA:

How to Prepare

Gather your documents

Identity Document

For example:• Passport or national identity

document from your country of origin• Birth certificate with photo identification• School or military ID with photo• Any U.S. government immigration or other

document bearing your name and photo

Documents to prove continuous residence since January 1, 2010 and physical presence on November 20, 2014For example: • Rent receipts or utility bills• Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 Forms, etc)• School records (letters, report cards, etc)• Military records (Form DD-214 or NGB Form 22)• Official records from a religious entity confirming participation in a religious ceremony• Copies of money order receipts for money sent in or out of the country• Passport entries• Birth certificates of children born in the U.S.• Dated bank transactions• Automobile license receipts or registration• Deeds, mortgages, rental agreement contracts• Tax receipts, insurance policies• Others

Documents to prove lack of status on November 20, 2014

For example:• Form I-94/I-95/I-94W with authorized stay

expiration date• Final order of exclusion, deportation, or

removal• A charging document placing you into removal

proceedings

Documents proving your relationship to your child and your child’s immigration status

For example:• Child’s birth certificate

listing you as parent• Child’s naturalization

certificate• Child’s lawful permanent

resident card

Criminal documents

For example:• Criminal record check• Final court dispositions• FBI fingerprint check

Immigration DocumentsFor example:• Applications you submitted• Petitions someone submitted for you• Receipt notices• Approval, denial or appeal notices• Notice to appear in court (NTA)• Detention or deportation documents• Form I-20, if you were a student• Entrance documents: I-94, visas,

passport with stamps

Save Money

Look for Legal Help

Do I really need a lawyer?

Who can help me?

1. Immigration attorney

2. Representative accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

Immigration attorney

• Licensed in any state in the U.S.• Graduated from law school• Specializes in immigration & nationality law• Member of the American

Immigration Lawyers Association(AILA)

BIA Accredited Representative

• Works in a nonprofit organization• Provides free or low cost services• His/her name appears on the list maintained

by the Department of Justice:www.justice.gov/eoir/legalrepresentation.htm

The wrong help can hurt.

An immigration lawyer or accredited representative should:

• Give you a written representation agreement• Explain what she is going to do for you• Give you a receipt for payment• Not ask you to sign blank forms• Give you copies of documents she files with

the government• Not make false promises

If immigration matters to you, SPEAK OUT!

Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-ReaDirector of Refugee & Immigration Ministries

sstanley@dhm.disciples.org 202-957-7826

Tana Liu-Beers Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel

317-289-1407 tana@dhm.disciples.org

disciplesimmigration.org

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