​DACA Update
On July 16 2021, a Texas federal judge ordered immigration to stop approving new first-time DACA applications. IMPORTANT: The judge’s order does not affect people who already have DACA or stop immigration from approving DACA renewals.   Current DACA cards remain valid and people who already have DACA can continue to submit renewal applications. We encourage anyone who is eligible to renew their DACA to do so.   
The following information pertains to the petitions LASSMC offers and are not an extensive list of all immigrations options. To find other providers, please visit Immigration Advocates Network to seek other forms of immigration relief.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
IMMIGRATION IS NOT PROCESSING NEW DACA APPLICATIONS.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, providing temporary relief from deportation (deferred action) and work authorization to certain young undocumented immigrants. DACA was created on June 15, 2012, by then-Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Unlike federal legislation, DACA does not provide permanent legal status to individuals and must be renewed every two years. 

Initial DACA Requirements:
  • Are now age 15 or older (or in removal proceedings) and were under age 31 on June 15, 2012.
  • Entered the United States before your 16th birthday and before June 15, 2007.
  • Have lived continuously in the US from June 15, 2007 to the present.
  • Were physically present in the US on June 15, 2012 without papers (without status).
  • Do not have what immigration considers a serious criminal record.
  • Are currently in school full time, graduated from a US High school (HS Diploma or GED), or were honorably discharged from the US Military.
Source: American Immigration Council
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) offers a path to a green card for certain immigrant youth. In particular, it provides an avenue for undocumented youth to obtain legal status when they are subject to juvenile court jurisdiction, cannot be reunified with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law, and it is not in their best interest to return to their home country. Youth who are successful in obtaining SIJS may apply for a green card. There is a limit on the number of people per country who can get a green card through SIJS in a given fiscal year.

​Eligibility: 
  • Declared dependent of a juvenile court or placed under the custody of a state agency or individual or entity appointed by the state or court
  • Reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law
  • Not in youth’s best interest to be returned to country of origin
  • Under 21 years of age
  • Unmarried
Source: ILRC
Temporary Protection Status (TPS)
TPS is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of specifically designated countries that are confronting an ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. It provides a work permit and stay of deportation to foreign nationals from those countries who are in the United States at the time the U.S. government makes the designation. TPS does not provide beneficiaries with a separate path to lawful permanent residence (a green card) or citizenship.

Eligibility: 
  • Be a national of a country designated for TPS, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country. The current list of TPS countries can be found here.
  • File during the open initial registration or re-registration period, or you meet the requirements for late initial filing during any extension of your country’s TPS designation.
  • Have been continuously physically present (CPP) in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of your country.
  • Have been continuously residing in the United States since the date specified for your country.
Source: American Immigration Council
U Visa
Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa in 2000 when it passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act.  Its purpose was to encourage immigrants to report crimes to law enforcement and also to afford protection for those willing to cooperate.  Congress intended that the law would protect victims of domestic and other violent crimes, but it also explicitly expressed its intent that the visa protect against qualifying workplace-related crimes. U Visa holders can get a Work Authorization, add derivatives to their application, and eventually apply for a green card. 

​Eligibility: 
  • Crime must be reported to authorities & victim must cooperate.
  • Need certification signed by US law enforcement.
  • Applicants over 21 can include unmarried children under 21 / spouse.
  • Applicants under 21 can include children, spouse, siblings under 18 & parents.​
Source: NILC
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was created to address a widespread problem of noncitizen victims of domestic violence or abuse remaining with their abusers out of fear of deportation because the abuser held the key role to the victim attaining lawful immigration status in the United States. Eligibility frees the victim from having to rely on the abuser’s cooperation to file a family-based petition. Under VAWA, an abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or U.S. citizen (USC), or an abused parent of a USC son or daughter can submit a self-petition on their own. Individuals who qualify for VAWA, however, are able to include more family members as derivatives on their applications and both the principal and derivative are able to gain immigration benefits through the process. 

Eligibility:
  • Victim of abuse by USC/LPR family member:
    • Spouse,
    • Adult child (> 21),
    • Parent
  • Any credible evidence of abuse – no reporting to police required.
  • Can include minor children.​ ​
Source: ILRC