Federal & State Laws

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

For the latest updates on DACA issues in North Carolina, please join IRAIN, our Information and Action network, or follow on Facebook.

If you are a current or former DACA recipient and would like to be screened for alternative forms of immigration relief, please call our new DACA-specific intake line on Wednesdays between 2:00-5:00 p.m. at 1-888-251-2776 (toll-free).

On June 15, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will not deport young people from the U.S. who meet certain requirements. Those who qualify will be given “deferred action” and will be eligible for work authorization.

Who is eligible? An individual must prove they meet the following criteria:

  • came to the United States under the age of 16;
  • has continuously resided in the United States for a least 5 years before June 15, 2012 and was present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
  • is currently in school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a GED certificate, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
  • has not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise poses a threat to national security or public safety; and
  • was under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.

For a complete factsheet on deferred action, click on a link below:
English: DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS
Spanish – Espanol: ACCIÓN DIFERIDA PARA JÓVENES INMIGRANTES
Chinese: 对童年时抵达美国人士的暂缓递解行动
Korean: 서류미비 청년들의 추방 유예 및 노동허가서
Vietnamese: HÀNH ĐỘNG TRÌ HOÃN CHO NGƯỜI ĐẾN LÚC CÒN THƠ ẤU

How do I apply?
The North Carolina Justice Center strongly believes that everyone who applies for Deferred Action needs and deserves assistance from an immigration attorney or BIA accredited representative before submitting their application.

You can also email deferred.action.ncjc@gmail.com or call/text (919) 675-2409 to reach us. Get text alerts on your phone about Deferred Action in NC. Text “follow DACANCJC” to 40404 in the United States. Standard messaging rates apply.

Learn About State & Federal Legislation Affecting Immigrants & Refugees

HOUSE BILL 318
Passed September 29, 2015, this harmful legislation undermines local government authority and restricts the powers of the state’s Executive branch as well. Among House Bill 318’s most troubling provisions: restrictions on how local governments address their own needs when it comes to immigrant communities; and restrictive limits on jobless workers’ ability to receive food aid during times of economic downturn or in parts of North Carolina that face persistent labor market distress.

At a time when it is increasingly clear that immigrant communities provide important entrepreneurial contributions to main streets, support regional resiliency, and work at many vital occupations across the state, it’s counterproductive to limit the ability of local governments to introduce common sense measures that support immigrant integration. Further, the bill is damaging to community safety in that it will make victims and witnesses to crime less willing to interact with the police, and take away tools from law enforcement that are proven to enhance community trust.

The impact of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, the program formerly known as food stamps, is also at risk due to HB 318. SNAP is designed to help ensure people have access to food in time of need. Though there are time limits on how long childless adults can receive SNAP, current federal law permits the Governor to waive these limits when economic conditions do not provide employment opportunities, a condition that allows 77 counties to qualify for the waiver today. HB 318 would permanently prevent the Executive branch from waiving these time limits during an economic recession, or for counties facing dramatic job losses. Jobless workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own would be unable to receive essential food aid for their families.

TUITION EQUALITY LEGISLATION
The North Carolina Justice Center supports in-state tuition for all qualified college and university students in North Carolina, regardless of immigration status. Please see information below about what tuition equity legislation would mean for our students and our state.

All North Carolina students should have the opportunity to continue their education so they can gain the skills that will boost their careers and help modernize the state’s economy. However, North Carolina requires undocumented immigrant students to pay expensive out-of-state tuition, which is nearly 300 percent higher on average.

Budget & Tax Center Brief: “TUITION EQUITY: Expanding College Opportunity and Paving the Way for North Carolina’s Economic Future”