UFW Foundation kicks off campaign to assist undocumented youth who may qualify under Obama’s Deferred Action program
The Department of Homeland Security released Friday morning new details regarding President Obama’s Deferred Action program. The program would allow certain young undocumented immigrants to access work permits and protection from deportation for two years.
“We commend President Obama for providing some relief to these youth and their families through the deferred action program,” said Diana Tellefson Torres, Executive Director of the United Farm Workers Foundation (UFW Foundation). Tellefson said that even thought the initial announcement was made in June, there was a lot of anxiety and misinformation because the eligibility criteria had not been released.
Tellefson encourages youth who may qualify under the Deferred Action program to attend educational sessions that the UFW Foundation will be hosting in different areas to prepare for the application process, which is scheduled to begin August 15, 2012, and learn about fees and other eligibility requirements.
“This is a great opportunity for outstanding young immigrants, such as farm workers and children of farm workers who have succeeded in school, and who in many cases, accomplished this while working side by side with their parents in the fields. As this process moves forward, the UFW Foundation will make sure that families in rural communities receive accurate information. Our young immigrants deserve to work legally in the United States without the fear of deportation,” she said.
The June 15th memorandum states that only persons who meet all requirements can apply for deferred action. The requirements a person must meet include entering the United States before age 16; having lived continuously in the United States since June 15, 2007 or before; not having been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor or three misdemeanors; being currently enrolled in high school, having graduated from high school or having been honorably discharged from the armed forces. Applicants must be 15 years of age or older to apply, and must have been 30 years old or younger on June 15, 2012. Applicants also must have been physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 21012, the date of the administration’s announcement. All the new details can be found on the USCIS website at: www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals.
To prepare for the application process of deferred action the UFW Foundation has hosted educational town halls in different cities in the states of California, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. The town halls have focused primarily on deferred action but have also presented information on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Arizona’s SB 1070 law and Know Your Rights guidelines. The UFW Foundation has spoken with hundreds of immigrant families and youth who are ready to start the application process for deferred action.
The UFW Foundation is a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recognized organization that offers immigration legal services to low-income families in California and Arizona. As a BIA accredited organization, the UFW Foundation will be providing services in processing applications for deferred action to qualified individuals. The Department of Homeland Security warns applicants not to apply before August 15th, and to avoid notarios or other service providers who are not authorized to provide immigration legal advice and who may indicate that applications can be prepared or filed earlier than that date.
The UFW Foundation encourages everyone to visit our website at www.ufwfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter to be up to date with the latest changes in immigration. If you have any questions on recent changes in immigration or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our BIA representatives please call our Toll Free number: (877) 881-8281 or email info@ufwfoundation.org . The UFW Foundation will continue to host immigration town halls throughout California and Arizona to ensure that families of immigrant and farm working communities receive honest and accurate information. Deferred action is a step in the right direction, but we still need to continue to push for humane immigration reform.
DEFERRED ACTION INFO SESSIONS (partial list)
BAKERSFIELD, CA – For More Information Call (877) 881-8281
Monday August 6th at 6 PM
Believers in Jesus Church, 600 Planz Rd. Bakersfield, CA
Thursday, August 16th at 6PM
UFWF Office, 220 18th Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
Space is limited, please RSVP by calling (877) 881-8281
Monday August 18th at 6 PM
Believers in Jesus Church, 600 Planz Rd. Bakersfield, CA
Thursday, August 23rd at 6PM
Oxnard, CA – For more information (323) 264-2700 ext. 201
Saturday, August 25th at 10AM
Iglesia Hispana de Bakersfield, 3200 Bernard St. Bakersfield, CA 93306
September 8th
Fresno, CA (in collaboration with Deferred Action for Dreamers Coalition)
SALINAS, CA- For More Information Call (831) 512-4581
Monday, August 6 at 4PM
UFWF Office, 437 East Alisal St. Salinas, CA 93905
Wednesday, August 8 at 4PM
UFWF Office, 437 East Alisal St. Salinas, CA 93905
Saturday, August 11 at 10AM
Location TBD
ARIZONA
Friday, August3rd, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Creciendo Unidos 2801 N. 31st St. Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Space is limited, please RSVP by calling 602.374.4054
UFWF in collaboration with The No Dream Deferred Coalition
Monday, August13, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
Cartwright Early Childhood Center 5480 W. Campbell Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85031
Space is limited, please RSVP by calling 602.233.0017 x2315
UFWF in collaboration with The No Dream Deferred Coalition
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 in Phoenix, AZ. For more information (602) 889-0933
Saturday, August 18th, 2012 in Phoenix, AZ. For more information (602) 889-0933
Town Halls in other locations are currently being scheduled.
The UFW Foundation is partnering with the Mexican Consulate in Fresno, the Deferred Action for Dreamers Coalition, The No Dream Deferred Coalition in Arizona, and others to offer more educational sessions on deferred action. For more information (877) 881-8281
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