Deferred Action for Parental Accountability in the U.S.

The Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) in the U.S., also known as the Deferred Action for Parents of American and Lawful Permanent Residents, is a program initiated by President Barack Obama in 2014. It was a planned immigration policy in the U.S. to issue deferred action statute for certain unlawful immigrants who have resided in the country since 2010 and have dependents who are citizens or legal permanent residents of the U.S.

There are several states in the U.S. that filed lawsuits, sustaining that DAPA violates the constitution and federal statutes. As a result, the program was blocked by the courts and never implemented; DHS formally rescinded DAPA on 15 June 2017. Our US immigration lawyer is at your service with information on this topic and guidance on applying for USA citizenship.

Who can qualify for DAPA in the U.S.?

Under the 2014 announcement, to qualify for DAPA the person in question would have had to:

•    Have been residing in the U.S. on a continuous basis since 2010;
•   Have been present in the U.S. on November 20, 2014 and at the date when he or she made the request for consideration of DAPA with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
•    Not have had the legal status on November 20, 2014;
•    Have had a child who was a citizen of the U.S. or a legal permanent resident on November 20, 2014;
•   Not have been convicted for a crime, not be a national security threat, or are not due to be removed from the country. Our immigration lawyer in Miami can provide more details on this matter.

We will also help you apply for a residence permit in USA.

How to prepare for the DAPA application in the U.S.

DAPA was never implemented and no applications are accepted; under the 2014 guidance, different documents should be gathered, such as:

•    Bank statements, money order receipts and annulled checks;
•    Union membership recordings;
•    Receipts or bills (electricity, phone, water, insurance, etc.);
•    Rental agreements, leases or property documents (for a house or a car);
•    Medical records for the parent, as well as for the child if they list the parent’s name on them;
•    A picture ID or driver’s license;
•    School records or different attendance certificates;
•   Other documents. An immigration lawyer in the United States can offer more information on what these other documents may consist of.

We will also help you apply for a residence permit in USA, if you need such services.

As DAPA was never implemented, we can advise parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents on alternatives to the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) in the U.S.; please get in touch with an immigration attorney in Miami from our immigration law firm. He will also explain how to apply for USA citizenship.