Some crimes disqualify you for DACA
QI have one misdemeanor conviction. Can I still qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)? My parents brought me to the U.S. at age 13. I am 30 now. I.O. Teran, Dallas
Whether you qualify for DACA depends on the crime for which you were convicted. DACA rules exclude applicants who are convicted of a “significant” misdemeanor. Individuals with a felony conviction or with three “nonsignificant” misdemeanor convictions are also excluded.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services considers significant misdemeanors to include driving under the influence, domestic violence, sexual abuse or exploitation, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug sales and burglary. Have an immigration law expert review your criminal record.
DACA grants protection from deportation plus work authorization and permission to travel abroad. A federal court has forced the Trump administration to accept new DACA applications. For information on DACA, go to bit. ly/3rdSJ1B.
What efforts have been made to locate parents of children separated by immigration authorities? What can be done to reunite them? Are there groups or organizations involved?
Mary Viola, West Islip, L.I.
QThe American Civil Liberties Union is leading an effort to reunite families separated by President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security. With parents dispersed throughout Latin America, it’s not easy. To learn more about the effort, including how to donate, visit aclu.org/ families-belong-together. In a cruel effort to discourage immigrants from seeking asylum in the United States, the Trump administration separated families. The ACLU reports that more than 2,600 children were separated from parents and caretakers.
It took a federal lawsuit to force the Homeland Security Department to end the program and provide lawyers information about the deported parents. The department didn’t bother to keep the information necessary to reunite the families. Hundreds of families remain separated.