Napolitano Testifies Before Congress on Deferred Action

Napolitano Testifies Before Congress on Deferred Action

On July 19, 2012, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano testified before Congress about Deferred Action for Dreamers. Her testimony provided a few new pieces of information about the program that was announced on June 15, 2012.

  • Upper Age Eligibility: Applicants younger than 31 on June 15, 2012 will be eligible to apply. DHS had previously indicated that applicants had to be not over 30 in order to be eligible, leaving open the questions of whether that meant a person would be eligible until his or her 31st birthday, and whether DHS would consider the person’s age as of the date of application or as of June 15, 2012.
  • Application Process:An application procedures announcement is anticipated to be issued on August 1, 2012
  • Application Submission: The application process is expected to begin on August 15, 2012
  • Fees: $465 fee for both work authorization and biometrics. It is likely there will be a separate deferred action application fee but unclear if there is a fee waiver option