On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced that his administration "will stop deporting and begin granting work permits to younger illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children and have since led law-abiding lives." The Obama Administration provided that unauthorized youths would be eligible for consideration through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion and gives qualifying persons work authorization. Although Deferred Action is a piece of Federal Legislation that must be followed by all states, additional benefits deriving from Deferred Action has been left to each state to institute if even at all.
In response the Deferred Action initiative, California assemblyman Gill Cedillo presented bill 2189 to Governor Jerry Brown. The bill proposed that persons who were granted Deferred Action would be accepted as proof of legal presence in California for Driver's License Applications. Governor Brown signed the bill on September 30, 2012 and now, persons granted Deferred Action the ability to lawfully obtain a Driver's License. Approximately 400,000 young undocumented immigrants will qualify for consideration of Differed Action in California and if granted will be eligible to obtain not only lawful work authorization, but a valid and legal Driver's License.
If you or someone in your family has entered the United States as young undocumented immigrant and lives in California, it is important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney familiar with Deferred Action requirements. Most illegal immigrations were brought to the United States by their parents when they were young.
If you or a member of your family has entered the United States as an undocumented childhood arrival and think you may qualify for Deferred Action and the benefits of a California Driver's License, it is important to consult with an experienced Orange County immigration attorney to assist you in requesting a Deferred Action application and it's implementation in California. Scott D. Hughes is an experienced immigration attorney who has knowledge and experience with the Deferred Action initiative. He may be able to answer your questions and advise you regarding your legal rights and remedies.
Please feel free to contact us for a comprehensive discussion of your immigration needs.