President Barack Obama on November 20, 2014, announced an Executive Actions on Immigration. The move, which is being frowned upon by Republicans will give immigration relief to millions of illegal aliens with children born in the United States.
On the same November 20, 2014, due to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced his decision to designate Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months. As a result, eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Meanwhile, President Obama’s series of executive actions will include a crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
Specifically, these initiatives include: Expanding the population eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to young people who came to this country before turning 16 years old and have been present since January 1, 2010, and extending the period of DACA and work authorization from two years to three years.
Parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been in the country since January 1, 2010, can request deferred action and employment authorization for three years, in a new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program, provided they pass required background checks
President Obama’s plan includes expanding the use of provisional waivers of unlawful presence to include the spouses and sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents and the sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. Modernizing, improving and clarifying immigrant and nonimmigrant programs to grow our economy and create jobs. Promoting citizenship education and public awareness for lawful permanent residents and providing an option for naturalization applicants to use credit cards to pay the application fee
Next steps
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other agencies and offices are responsible for implementing these initiatives as soon as possible. Some initiatives will be implemented over the next several months and some will take longer.
PROCESS FOR FILING DACA
