Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA Forum How

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Forum: How DACA has Opened the Doors of Opportunity Philippine Embassy – Washington, D. C. December 3, 2013 1

Remarks from H. E. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. 2

State-of-Play – Gregory Cendana Remarks – Angelo Mathay Overview of DACA Eligibility Requirements Fees Application Preparation DACA’s 1 year anniversary – Reasons Why Undocumented Teens and Adults Have Not Applied Remarks – Ray Jose Remarks – Myrna Orozco DACA Resources ◦ ◦ Mobile device app Online screening and application tool – www. ownthedream. org Websites Services Overview of the Event 3

Senate April 16, 2013 Bipartisan “Gang of 8” Senators introduce S. 744, a bill that includes a road map to citizenship for undocumented Americans and other permanent changes to immigration law. July 2013 S. 744 Passed (68 -32) House of Representatives October 2, 2013 House Democrats introduced their own immigration bill, HR 15, to try to get Republicans to act on immigration reform. November 26, 2013 Rep. Joe Heck presented an immigration draft bill very similar to the DREAM Act in S. 744 State-of-Play 4

Immigrated to U. S. when I was six years old Lived in fear of deportation from ages 6 -19 yrs old AB 540 student Organizer – KIWA, UCLA Labor Center, and API Equality-LA Angelo Mathay 5

On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security issued a memorandum that created the DACA program. DACA Background 6

DACA was achieved, in part because of great community organizing and civil disobediences led by DREAMers. DACA Background 7

What is DACA? Permission to Stay • DACA is permission from U. S. immigration officials to stay for 2 years. Renewable • DACA can be renewed. There is no end point for the DACA program. And you cannot age-out. For childhood arrivals • It is for some people who arrived in the U. S. before turning 16 and lived here since June 15, 2007. Work Permit & A Social • A person who receives DACA can apply for a work permit and get a social security number Driver’s License • In every state except for Nebraska and Arizona, you can get a driver’s license if you get DACA

Limits of DACA Not a path to citizenship • DACA does not put you on a path to citizenship or to becoming a permanent resident Not lawful immigration status • If you get DACA, you become lawfully present but you don’t get lawful status. No benefits for family members • People who get DACA can’t petition for family members Can be terminated • DACA as a program can be terminated at any time. • The government can take away an individual’s grant of DACA Possibility of enforcement action • In certain rare circumstances, ICE may take enforcement action against people who apply for DACA.

Who qualifies? 1 of 2 Requirements 1. Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; 2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16 th birthday; 3. Have lived in the U. S. since June 15, 2007; 4. Physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your DACA application; 5. Not in lawful status on June 15, 2012; 6. Education or military requirement; 7. Not a public safety or national security threat; AND 8. Generally, must be 15 to request DACA, unless: In removal proceedings; Final removal order; or Voluntary departure order. 10

Who qualifies? 2 of 2 Criminal Concerns? Seek legal advice from a legal service provider, an attorney, or BIA accredited representative

How Filipinos Can Get DACA? Apply • If you qualify for DACA, send an application to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request it. • If you or someone you know is in immigration detention and may qualify for DACA, notify a detention officer and/or contact the ICE Community Outreach Office by calling 1 -888 -351 -4024 Forms, Proof, Photos, Fee • The application includes three forms, proof that you qualify, two passport photographs and the filing fee ($465) unless you don’t have to pay Fingerprints • You will not be able to get DACA unless you are fingerprinted by the government. The government will do a background check for everyone who applies for DACA.

DACA’s 1 Year Anniversary 537, 662 applications were accepted for review between August 2012 and June 30, 2013 ◦ Nearly 75 percent (400, 562) were approved ◦ Only 1 percent (5, 383) were denied State Currently Eligible Population Share of All Currently Eligible Youth Applications Accepted for Processing Application Rate Total 1, 089, 000 100 538, 000 49 California 311, 000 29 153, 000 49 Texas 165, 000 15 88, 000 54 New York 86, 000 8 29, 000 34 Florida 65, 000 6 23, 000 35 Illinois 49, 000 4 30, 000 60 13

DACA’s 1 Year Anniversary Table. Countries of Origin of Currently Eligible DACA Youth and DACA Applications Accepted for Processing Origin Country Currently Eligible Populatio n Share of All Currently Eligible Youth Applications Accepted for Processing Application Rate (%) Total 1, 089, 000 100 538, 000 49 Mexico 637, 000 59 409, 000 64 Philippines 22, 000 2 4, 000 16 14

DACA’s 1 Year Anniversary • Reasons why youth have not have applied to DACA – • Lack of information or misinformation about the program • Fear it will expose family members • Accessing adult education and other qualifying education programs • Lack of educational enrollment • Lack of funds for the $465 application fee • Proof of continuous presence-school records 15

Remarks from Ray Jose 16

Remarks from Myrna Orozco 17

Resources 18

Pocket DACA ◦ pocket. DACA ◦ Screen for DACA eligibility ◦ Find legal help ◦ Keep up-to-date on DACA news ◦ Polls for potential applicants ◦ Key DACA resources ◦ Answers to frequently asked questions. ◦ It is free to download (Android and i. OS) at http: //bit. ly/pocketdaca.

Own the Dream

Screening Interview

Application Interview

Document Download

Philippine Embassy, Own the Dream, and APALA Brochure 24

Questions?