June 05, 2014

CÁRDENAS APPLAUDS INCREASED DEFERRED ACTION

CÁRDENAS APPLAUDS INCREASED DEFERRED ACTION

(San Fernando Valley, Calif.)  – U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas today welcomed the official process announcement by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), of deferred action for undocumented workers who were brought to this nation as children. This policy, announced by the Department of Homeland Security in 2012, allows two years of deferred prosecution and deportation for violating immigration laws, as well as authorizing the immigrant in question to work in the United States.

Deferred action does not provide lawful status.

“Children who were brought to this country by their hardworking parents deserve the opportunity to live the American Dream,” said Cárdenas. “Deferred action is a small, but important, first step toward creating a pathway for these hard-working men and women to pay fines, get right with the law, and become legal residents of the United States. I am pleased that USCIS has taken this step. I hope Congress will follow it with comprehensive immigration reform legislation that can finally fix our broken immigration system.”

USCIS announced a website, uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals, and a revised form (Form I-821D) for individuals who wish to register for, or renew, deferred action.

Cárdenas’ district staff will also be taking part in a national teleconference to learn more about the procedures related to deferred action, to better assist those in the San Fernando Valley who may be eligible.

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