If you've had the TV on or checked the news recently, there is a good chance you're aware of the President's plans to fix the country's broken immigration system. He revealed multiple changes that gave immigrants and American citizens a lot to digest, especially when this announcement has been so long anticipated.
The bottom line is that these changes could spell hope for you and your loved ones. It's important to determine if you're eligible sooner rather than later, because you'll need time to prepare your documents before the reforms start rolling out.
Keep reading to learn more about President Obama's plans for change.
What the Executive Action Means for You
As a whole, Mr. Obama highlighted several key factors that form the backbone of his plan. These include enforcing better border security, deporting felons instead of families, and giving eligible immigrants the chance to temporarily remain in the United States without the threat of deportation.
Over the years, the priorities of the immigration system have shifted and failed to fulfill what they were originally intended for. The President recognized this and believes that our country should take deportation on a case-by-case basis, rather than blindly assuming that every immigrant warrants deportation.
Supplementing Mr. Obama's key initiatives are others that indicate a new future for immigrants and their families.
These include the following:
- An expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program
- A new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program
- Greater use of provisional waivers
- Efforts to grow the jobs available for immigrants
- Fostering citizenship education and public awareness for lawful permanent residents
The Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program is different than anything the immigration system has ever seen. Immigrants who have been in the U.S. since at least January 1, 2010 and have a child who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident are eligible to apply for this program.
Although the DACA program has already benefitted countless youth immigrants, the President decided to open it up even further. He removed the age cap and extended the employment authorization period from two years to three. In his speech, Mr. Obama pointed out that our country has benefitted substantially from the participation of immigrants and it's clear that his plans only seek to emphasize this.
At The Simon Law Group, it is our hope that the reformed immigration system would do much to positively impact the lives of our clients. We work tirelessly on behalf of every individual that walks through our doors and can do the same for you.
Contact our firm to speak with a Houston immigration attorney and begin preparing for your future.
