Deferred Action for Childhood Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Forum: Arrivals (DACA) Forum: How How DACA has Opened the Doors of DACA has Opened the Doors of

OpportunityOpportunity

Philippine Embassy – Washington, D.C.Philippine Embassy – Washington, D.C.December 3, 2013December 3, 2013

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Remarks from H.E. Ambassador Remarks from H.E. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.

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Overview of the EventOverview of the Event

State-of-Play – Gregory Cendana

Remarks – Angelo Mathay

Overview of DACAEligibility RequirementsFeesApplication PreparationDACA’s 1 year anniversary – Reasons Why Undocumented Teens and Adults Have Not Applied

Remarks – Ray Jose

Remarks – Myrna Orozco

DACA Resources◦ Mobile device app◦ Online screening and application tool – www.ownthedream.org ◦ Websites◦ Services

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State-of-PlayState-of-Play

Senate House of Representatives

April 16, 2013 Bipartisan “Gang of 8”

Senators introduce S. 744, a bill that includes a road map to citizenship for undocumented Americans and other permanent changes to immigration law.

July 2013 S.744 Passed (68-32)

October 2, 2013 House Democrats

introduced their own immigration bill, HR 15, to try to get Republicans to act on immigration reform.

November 26, 2013 Rep. Joe Heck presented an

immigration draft bill very similar to the DREAM Act in S. 744

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Angelo MathayAngelo Mathay

Immigrated to U.S. when I was six years old

Lived in fear of deportation from ages 6-19 yrs old

AB540 studentOrganizer – KIWA, UCLA

Labor Center, and API Equality-LA

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DACA BackgroundDACA Background

On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security issued a memorandum that created the DACA program.

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DACA BackgroundDACA Background

DACA was achieved, in part because of great community organizing and civil disobediences led by DREAMers.

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What is DACA?What is DACA?

Limits of DACALimits of DACA

Who qualifies?Who qualifies? 1 of 2 1 of 2

Requirements1. Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;3. Have lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007;4. Physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and

at the time of making your DACA application;5. Not in lawful status on June 15, 2012;6. Education or military requirement; 7. Not a public safety or national security threat; AND8. Generally, must be 15 to request DACA, unless:

In removal proceedings; Final removal order; or Voluntary departure order.

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Who qualifies?Who qualifies? 2 of 22 of 2

Seek legal advice from a legal service provider, an attorney, or BIA accredited representative

How Filipinos Can Get DACA?How Filipinos Can Get DACA?

Fingerprints•You will not be able to get DACA unless you are fingerprinted by the government. The government will do a background check for everyone who applies for DACA.

Forms, Proof, Photos, Fee•The application includes three forms, proof that you qualify, two passport photographs and the filing fee ($465) unless you don’t have to pay

Apply •If you qualify for DACA, send an application to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request it.•If you or someone you know is in immigration detention and may qualify for DACA, notify a detention officer and/or contact the ICE Community Outreach Office by calling 1-888-351-4024

DACA’s 1 Year AnniversaryDACA’s 1 Year Anniversary

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537,662 applications were accepted for review between August 2012 and June 30, 2013◦ Nearly 75 percent (400,562) were approved◦ Only 1 percent (5,383) were denied

State Currently Eligible Population

Share of All Currently Eligible Youth

Applications Accepted for Processing

Application Rate

Total 1,089,000 100 538,000 49

California 311,000 29 153,000 49

Texas 165,000 15 88,000 54

New York 86,000 8 29,000 34

Florida 65,000 6 23,000 35

Illinois 49,000 4 30,000 60

DACA’s 1 Year AnniversaryDACA’s 1 Year Anniversary

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Origin Country

Currently Eligible Population

Share of All Currently Eligible Youth

Applications Accepted for Processing

Application Rate (%)

Total 1,089,000 100 538,000 49

Mexico 637,000 59 409,000 64

Philippines 22,000 2 4,000 16

Table. Countries of Origin of Currently Eligible DACA Youth and DACA Applications Accepted for Processing

DACA’s 1 Year AnniversaryDACA’s 1 Year Anniversary

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• Reasons why youth have not have applied to DACA – • Lack of information or misinformation about the

program• Fear it will expose family members• Accessing adult education and other qualifying

education programs• Lack of educational enrollment• Lack of funds for the $465 application fee• Proof of continuous presence-school records

Remarks from Ray JoseRemarks from Ray Jose

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Remarks from Myrna OrozcoRemarks from Myrna Orozco

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ResourcesResources

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Pocket DACAPocket DACA

◦pocketDACA

◦ Screen for DACA eligibility

◦ Find legal help

◦ Keep up-to-date on DACA news

◦ Polls for potential applicants

◦ Key DACA resources

◦ Answers to frequently asked questions.

◦ It is free to download (Android and iOS) at http://bit.ly/pocketdaca.

Own the DreamOwn the Dream

Screening InterviewScreening Interview

Application InterviewApplication Interview

Document DownloadDocument Download

Philippine Embassy, Own the Philippine Embassy, Own the Dream, and APALA BrochureDream, and APALA Brochure

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Questions?