When an immigrant enters the United States, he or she can only become a citizen if the right avenues are followed. The children of undocumented immigrants reach adulthood the issue of legal documented citizen can hit them as a complete surprise. Undocumented children can attend public school, obtain drivers licenses and even be covered under federally sponsored insurance plans. While immigration law grants all children born in the United States citizenship regardless of their parent's documented immigration status, even children brought into the U.S. as babies can face deportation if they don't file and get approved for citizenship. The good news is that undocumented children who have recently turned 18 years of age generally have a reasonable chance of becoming legal citizens.
How the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program Works
Undocumented immigrant is a term used to describe anyone who is living in the U.S. without proper documentation. Immigrants can be deported for allowing work visas to lapse or for committing a violent crime. What the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program addresses are the millions of undocumented children who came to live in the U.S. under their parent's behest. The Chicago Tribune reports that President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in 2012 to aid young adults legally become U.S. citizens. Rather than summarily deport the children of undocumented immigrants after they turned 18, this program deviates slightly from standard immigration law. The program gives young undocumented adults a two year reprieve in which to apply for green cards and hopefully obtain citizenship.
What Young Undocumented Adults Seeking U.S. Citizenship Should Do to Increase Their Odds
Enrolling in college is one of several steps that young undocumented adults can do to help them qualify for deferred deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Since undocumented citizens can't legally work, there's also the option of volunteering or signing up for an unpaid internship. Being able to show strong ties to the local community is another method that undocumented citizens both young and old have leverage in order to delay deportation proceedings as well as apply for citizenship. Hiring an immigration law attorney might be difficult for a young adult with limited funds, but going before an immigration judge with legal representation is likely the best way to ensure that the full story is told.
Millions of undocumented citizens live not knowing if or when they will be deported, and it can be terribly disheartening for a young person to deal with the prospect of returning to a country that they may not even remember. Immigration law could become more restrictive for young adults seeking protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in the near future so start the immigration process as soon as you can.
Share14 July 2017
The court system can seem frightening and confusing if you're not used to using it. Whether you've been accused of a crime and you're trying to navigate the criminal court system, or you're being sued or considering suing someone else in civil court, you need an advocate who knows their way around. That's why finding the right lawyer for the job is so important. In this blog, I'll be helping you learn how to choose the right lawyer for the job and sharing information about legal strategies and courtroom procedures that you may come across when you have a legal problem. You need accurate information to help you understand the court system, and this blog can help.