On June 15, 2012,  Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, as part of the administration of President Barack Obama, announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. 

While not an actual enactment of the Dream Act, and not a permanent fix, the Deferred Action initiative provides long awaited opportunity for qualified younger immigrants to stay and work in the United States, participate in American life, and not live under the fear of being deported.

Beginning August 15, 2012, people may begin to request consideration for Deferred Action.  Those who demonstrate that they meet the guidelines below may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and may be eligible for employment authorization.

You may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals if you:

• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time (certain exceptions for brief departures);

• Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;

• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;

• 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;

• Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;

• 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

• Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor offense, three or more other misdemeanors (definitions of these offenses may require specific legal analysis), and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

• Individuals who can prove through verifiable documentation that they meet these criteria may be eligible to be considered for deferred action.