Why You Should be Concerned About Applying for a Driver's License in California Under AB 6012/30/2014 For those of you planning to apply for a driver's license (DL) under AB60, please be warned of the following information. The DMV aggressively pursues DL fraud cases. They consider it to be a security issue. They have recently taken the position that they will continue to do so in spite of AB 60's passage. For many, this may mean nothing. However, if an undocumented person has ever used fraudulent papers to secure a DL, you may want to warn them that applying for a driver's license under the new law will likely be a bad idea. Aggressive pursuit of DL fraud may include DMV contacting immigration authorities with any information they obtain regarding undocumented persons.
Yes, ICE detainers are no longer enforced here. Also, the TRUST Act passed into law, placing limits on enforcement of detainers. However, nothing in the law forbids state agencies, including the sheriff and the DMV, from sharing information with ICE. Also, the announcement by Obama in November included not only expansion of deferral of removal for certain classes of noncitizens but it also broader enforcement provisions different priority categories of persons for removal. If you client had or has an issue with false documents, and indicates they want to get a DL, you might want to warn them that doing so could place them on ICE's radar. Moreover, if criminal charges are filed and one is convicted, it could disqualify them for future benefits including Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA).
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There are likely millions of people abroad (and in the U.S.) "waiting in line" to become lawful permanent residents and acquire their "green card" based on a petition filed by a relative (parents, spouse, siblings) or employer. They monitor the Department of State's Visa Bulletin (here) hopelessly wondering when it will be their turn.
There are provisions in our immigration laws that make it better to be from one country over another. This has to do with the quota system that governs a major part of when person gets to immigrate to the U.S. With the exception of immediate relatives, for the most part those who immigrate to the U.S. do so under the family-based or employment-based preference system. The number of persons who can immigrate in any one year under one of the family-based or employment-based preference systems is limited. There are also caps placed concerning the number of people who can immigrate in any one year from a particular country. In effect, there is a quota system in place. The quota system is based on a person’s place of birth, not their nationality. Immigration laws usually treat someone based on their country of birth. In some scenarios, a person can use their spouse’s place of birth instead of their own to receive an important advantage. This is called “cross-chargeability”. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are unaware of this concept and fail to take advantage of it. Cross-chargeability is important because, as stated above, visas are based on quotas, and certain countries have more people applying for green cards under certain preference categories so it might take significantly longer to get a green card if you are born in one country rather than another. For example, under family-based petitions, a married Mexican who is sponsored by his USC father. Could face about a 17-20 years waiting period for a green card. This is true for a Mexican national petitioned by a U.S. citizen sibling as well. If that Mexican were married to someone from Guatemala or Argentina (for example), the current waiting period could be cut 5-8 years. There are other ways to qualify for cross-chargeability other than through marriage. Additionally, cross-chargeability can also be used in certain employment-based petition processes. I recommend you contact our office if you seek assistance with applying under cross-chargeability, or for more information see 8 C.F.R. § 42.12. For more than 8 years, Immigration Attorney Mario Zapata has been assisting people with immigration, green card or visa issues. For more information on how our Orange County Immigration Law Firm can help, please call us at (714) 441-2800, email us, or visit our office at 1100 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Suite 200C, Anaheim, CA 92801. On November 20, 2014, President Barack Obama announced his plans for a series of executive actions on immigration policy. An important centerpiece to the plans include the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program, which will provide temporary immigration relief to qualifying undocumented foreign nationals.
Presidential Executive Action The President is addressing deficiencies in the current immigration system through this plan of implementing several executive actions. Moreover, the President indicated his desire and intentions to focus enforcement on criminals. Lastly, the President recognized he lacks the authority to provide undocumented individuals a pathway to citizenship, and hopes Congress will become motivated to address the immigration problem through a comprehensive bill. Overview on DAPA Those who are approved for the DAPA program will be protected from being deported for a period of three years, and will also be issued temporary work authorization. NOTE: A DAPA recipient will not have legal status, nor will they have access to becoming a lawful permanent resident. Eligibility Requirements for DAPA The requirements for individuals to qualify for DAPA are that they:
Application Process for DAPA It is not yet possible to apply for DAPA. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to initiate the program by May 19, 2015. In the meantime, those individuals who plan to apply for DAPA may wish to begin collecting documentation to establish eligibility. Such documents may include: proof of identity (ie. birth certificate and valid passport); proof of parentage of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident son or daughter (ie. birth certificate of child); and proof of continuous residence for the required time period (ie. bills, tax returns, contracts, paystubs, etc). Avoid Scams! The series of executive action plans announced will prompt prompt unscrupulous individuals to try to take advantage of vulnerable foreign nationals. Until there is an official announcement, no applications can be filed. It is important to utilize reliable sources for information and assistance in immigration matters. Read more about how to identify and avoid immigration scams on the USCIS WebSite here. Remain Upated You can remain updated on the progress of the DAPA progam by checking our website, liking us on Facebook here, or requesting to be placed on our CONTACT LIST by emailing the attorney at [email protected]. NOTE: There is a strong likelihood that several (not all) DAPA recipients will be eligible to seek Adjustment of Status (green card) after acquiring and utilizing Advance Parole travel benefits. Attorney Mario Zapata has succeeded in obtaining green cards for various clients who previously were issued Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). For more information on Adjustment of Status for DACA recipients under Matter of Yarabally, please go here. This type of case must be carefully evaluated by an experienced immigration attorney, as past immigration violations (ie. multiple entries, detentions, removals, crimes) could pose problems. Conclusion The Law Office of Mario Zapata will continue to closely monitor and track progress made the executive action programs, and provide readers with such updates analysis as soon as new information is released. We do not suspect that any further significant plans will be released in the near future absent an agreement on a comprehensive immigration reform bill. |
AuthorMario Zapata is an immigration attorney practicing out of Orange County, CA and represents clients nationwide. Archives
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Based in Anaheim, California, the Law Office of Mario Zapata provides immigration-related legal services to individual and business clients from across the United States and around the world, including: Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino, and San Diego County in California. Mr. Zapata has represented residents of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Lake Forest, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Ontario, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Juan Capistrano, and Westminster.
© 2018 by Law Office of Mario Zapata. All rights reserved. Disclaimer : Site Map
© 2018 by Law Office of Mario Zapata. All rights reserved. Disclaimer : Site Map