Thread: Deportation relief rules still being developed

Deportation relief rules still being developed

By Matt O'Brien
Contra Costa Timesmercurynews.com
Posted: 06/18/2012 11:03:33 AM PDT
June 18, 2012 6:34 PM GMTUpdated: 06/18/2012 11:34:39 AM PDT

The actual procedures for application -- and for proving residency and education -- have yet to be released.

The directive the Department of Homeland Security issued last week applies to illegal immigrants under 30 who came to the United States before they turned 16, but the government has discretion in whom it chooses to grant relief.

An estimated 350,000 children and young adult immigrants in California and more than 1 million nationwide could qualify for protection from deportation and temporary work permits through the new initiative, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The work permits can be renewed after two years.

Eduardo Ruiz of San Jose was among many students in the Bay Area waiting for more details.

"We need more information. I don't think it's as easy as picking up the phone and letting them know where I am," said the senior at San Jose State University who turns 30 early next year. "If it's the way Obama said it's supposed to work, I pretty much have less than a year to apply."

People such as Ruiz can begin collecting documentation that proves their longtime residency and education, but should "beware of unscrupulous attorneys and fraudulent notarios and offers that seem too good to be true," according to a statement Monday from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

The nation's immigration chiefs -- John Morton, director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Alejandro Mayorkas, director of Citizenship and Immigration Services -- were expected to explain the policy in more detail at 1 p.m. Monday in a phone conference with lawyers and other stakeholders around the country.

This report will be updated.

Questions about immigration directive

The Department of Homeland Security advises people with questions about the new policy to call the hot lines for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at 1-800-375-5283 or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at 1-888-351-4024 during business hours or send an e-mail to EROPublicAdvocate@ice.dhs.gov

Deportation relief rules still being developed - San Jose Mercury News

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