USCIS approved nearly 401,000 deferred action cases

More than 557,412 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications have been submitted since U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) opened the deadline to initiate the process on August 15, 2012.

According to figures provided by USCIS, this government agency has received a total of 557,412 applications between August 15, 2012 and June 30, 2013. Of that number, USCIS has accepted 537,662 applications for processing and rejected 19,750.

Of the 537,662 applications that USCIS has accepted for processing, 400,562 applications have been approved and 5,383 have been denied.

To date, appointments for biometric services have been scheduled for 524,153 of the cases.

Most of the applicants are of Mexican origin and live in California.

It is important that anyone who is eligible for the deferred action program for undocumented youth who came to the United States as children apply for the benefit.

It is better to have temporary protection from deportation than none at all. In addition, people who are granted deferred action will be able to have a work permit if they demonstrate that they have an economic need. By having a work permit, they will be able to apply for social security and a driver's license.

Do not be afraid to take calculated risks. Be sure to consult with an immigration attorney or a federally accredited representative before beginning the process.

Do not go to notaries, immigration consultants, paper fillers or multi-services.

If you have questions, call my office at 213-537-8472 to schedule a private consultation. The consultation is not free.

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