By LESLIE COLLINS
Northeast News
August 20, 2012

An estimated 60,000 illegal immigrants live in Missouri, and childhood arrivals will now be able to qualify for deferred action.

To assist with the deferred action application process, Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) and Kansas/Missouri DREAM Alliance are operating a deferred action application center on Sunday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Guadalupe Centers Inc., 1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Kansas City, Mo.

“USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has developed a rigorous review process  process for deferred action requests under guidelines issues by Secretary Napolitano,” USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas said in a press release. “Childhood arrivals who meet the guidelines and whose cases are deferred will now be able to live without fear of removal and be able to more fully contribute their talents to our great nation.”

Qualifying individuals will not be removed from the U.S. for a period of two years and may also apply for employment authorization. The two-year deferment is subject for renewal. Deferred action does not give an illegal immigrant legal status nor does it create an avenue for permanent residence or citizenship. To apply, individuals must have been under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012.

Cost to apply is $465 and those seeking to apply are asked to bring the following to the Aug. 26 application center: copy of your diploma, GED or school transcripts showing current enrollment; a deposition from the county court showing any encounters with law enforcement; and at least one of the following items: financial records, medical records, school records, employment records, military records, passport, birth certificate.

Individuals are asked to register for the event at http://deferredaction.eventbrite.com.

Trained volunteers and immigration attorneys will be available at the center to assist with applications and to answer questions.

Do I Qualify?
Consider applying if you meet all of the criteria below:
•I entered the country before I was 16
•I was under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012, and am at least 15 years old
•I have lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007
•I have a diploma, GED, am currently attending school, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
•I do not have a criminal record