Conexión Américas is working in coordination with Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and Catholic Charities to help prepare applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Questions? Call us at (615) 269-6900 or send an email for an appointment to help you get your application ready.

Provided below are links and resources to answer frequently asked questions and connect to correct documents and information.

Are you eligible?

Use We Own the Dream national online screening tool, an automated questionnaire to help you determine your eligibility and check out the National Immigration Law Center’s Frequently Asked Questions guide. The guide also is available in Spanish.

But, here is information directly from the USCIS website, too, to help you determine if you meet the criteria required by the federal government:

  1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
  2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
  3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
  4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
  5. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
  6. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and;
  7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

These guidelines must be met for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals. USCIS retains the ultimate discretion on whether deferred action is appropriate in any given case.

Gather your documents

Here is a PDF document with instructions for I-821D, that gives you detailed specifics and a list of documents you will need to gather in order to show evidence you are eligible to apply for deferred action, or DACA.

Required forms

The three required forms are:

Help applying for Deferred Action

Conexión Américas is working in coordination with Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and Catholic Charities to help prepare applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).,

Questions? Call us at (615) 269-6900 or send an email for an appointment to help you get your application ready.

Here also is a link to immigration attorneys and legal assistance providers in Tennessee, as listed by We Own the Dream and tips for finding qualified immigration attorneys and legal assistance via Educators for Fair Consideration.

Beware of scams

If you are going to hire an attorney to help you fill out the forms, be very careful to hire a knowledgeable immigration attorney or a BIA-accredited representative. Make yourself aware of Notario Fraud.

How much does it cost?

The U.S. government (USCIS) is charging $465 for the deferred action application, which broken down is an $85 biometrics fee and $380 for the work authorization document. You must pay this entire amount when you submit your application.

Confidentiality

Form I-821D states the information you provide is protected and will not be shared with ICE or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, unless there are issues of safety or security, and for “purposes other than removal.”

This confidentiality also extends to relatives and guardians of those making application.

En español

For deferred action information, links and resources in Spanish, please visit our Spanish-language boletín.

Then what?

Deferred action will be granted for a two-year period, and then you would have to apply for renewal again.

Read: Beyond Deferred Action: Long-Term Immigration Remedies Every DREAMer Should Know About, created by Educators for Fair Consideration.

Questions?

Call our office, (615) 269-6900 for assistance in Spanish and English or email us.