On November 20, 2014, President Obama issued an Immigration Executive Action. Among other things, this Executive Action expanded upon one program and created another. Both allow individuals who are illegally present in the United States to obtain temporary legal status for a three year period. These programs are:
1. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”): Prior to November 20, 2014, only those who had entered the United States on or before June 15, 2007 and were under 31 years of age on June 15, 2012 were eligible for DACA. Now, DACA applies to those who entered the United States on or before January 1, 2010, without regard to age, and extends the validity period of this status from two years to three years.
2. Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (“DAPA”): Parents whose United States citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (“green card” holder) children were born on or before November 20, 2014, can qualify if they have:
• Continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 2010; and
• Are not an enforcement priority for removal from the United States.
