DACA Attorneys in Cleveland

Are You Living Undocumented in the U.S.?

The immigration policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was established as an executive order signed by U.S. President Barack Obama on June 15, 2012. DACA is an important issue that uniquely affects people who came to the U.S. as children without documentation or stayed in the country on expired visas as a result of their parents’ actions.

Under DACA, qualified individuals who arrived in the U.S. on or before June 15, 2007, without documentation as children – and have continuously resided in the country since – can receive deferred action to avoid removal proceedings and deportation. Deferred action also grants employment authorization, providing a qualified DACA recipient to get a job and work toward their career goals in the U.S.

At Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. L.P.A., our DACA attorneys in Cleveland can help people protect their careers and residency in the U.S. by applying for deferred action. If you think you qualify and want to learn more, keep reading this page or get in touch with someone from our firm who can help.

Contact Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. L.P.A. online or call (888) 491-8770 today to schedule a consultation.

Who Qualifies for DACA?

Being able to live and work in the U.S. is important to you because it may be the only home you know. Deferred action can calm your worries about having your life in the U.S. interrupted by legal proceedings and possibly deportation. However, there are a number of eligibility requirements that must be met.

Successful DACA applications are those who meet the following requirements:

• You were younger than 31 on June 15, 2012.
• You were younger than 16 when you entered the U.S.
• You lived continuously within the U.S. from June 15, 2007, to the present.
• You entered the U.S. without inspection before June 15, 2012.
• You have been staying in the U.S. on a visa that expired as of June 15, 2012.
• You were physically within U.S. borders on June 15, 2012.
• You will live within U.S. borders when you apply for DACA.
• You are enrolled in school, graduated from high school, earned a GED, or have an honorable discharge from the U.S. military.
• You were never convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.

If you can identify with all of the criteria listed above, you may be a good candidate for deferred action. Get in touch with our DACA attorneys in Cleveland at Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. L.P.A. to learn more about what we can do for you.

Is It Risky to Apply for DACA?

Applying for deferred action reveals your immigration status to the U.S. government. If you are denied deferred action, you may be arrested and placed in removal and deportation proceedings. You should always consult with an attorney before applying for DACA or engaging with immigration authorities.

What Are Other Important DACA Benefits?

Deferred action can shield you from removal proceedings and deportation solely based upon your residence in the U.S. without documentation (this also means you stop accruing unlawful presence).

Deferred action also grants work authorization, which can allow you to work for nearly any U.S. employer.

Finally, you can apply for advance parole, which can permit you to travel outside of the U.S. for reasons related to your work or education.

Does DACA Give Me a Green Card?

DACA doesn’t provide successful applicants with a Green Card or place them on a path toward U.S. citizenship. These goals, however, can be worked toward by the DACA recipient without fear of facing deportation by virtue of being in the U.S. without documentation.

That said, DACA recipients may have an improved chance of earning U.S. citizenship by marrying a U.S. citizen or if legislation such as the DREAM Act passes.

How Do I Apply for DACA?

You should always consult with an attorney for any matter related to your immigration status. This means you should seek legal representation to help you apply for DACA.

At Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. L.P.A., our DACA attorneys in Cleveland can help you through this complicated legal process and work toward earning deferred action.

For more information about how we can help, please connect with us online.