Immigrants involved in minor offences might lose deportation waiver

United States, 20th August: Hope of getting deportation relief under Obama’s latest policy may prove futile for immigrants involved in minor offences.

In such a scenario, all such immigrants might face deportation, it is being felt.

Minor offences threaten deportation—Although US President Barack Obama has announced a policy to help nearly 1 million young undocumented immigrants get deportation relief under the ‘Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals’ program.

Hundreds of young immigrants with undocumented status have begun applying for getting temporary relief from deportation.But, any involvement in minor misdemeanor offense would make them ineligible for receiving deportation relief. And this is becoming a source of agony and concern for many undocumented immigrants like Uriel Alberto.

 

This 25-year-old is a high school graduate from the US and is presently working in North Carolina as a paralegal.

So, what is his fault for facing imminent exit from the US?

Well, the fact that he faced charges of being involved in a nonviolent conduct while making protests against US immigration ruling at North Carolina Legislature in February this year.

He was sent to jail for a period of 15 days following subsequent conviction. He is also convicted of driving while being drunk. So, all this may lower his eligibility for Obama’s deferred action plan.

US Deferred Action Policy—Under the US Deferred Action Program, dreamers or qualified undocumented immigrants will be relieved from getting deported for a period of two years.

Such a provision is renewable. And it also gives eligibility to undocumented immigrants to make application for US work permits, driver’s licenses and Social Security Cards.

The policy is aimed to increase focus on targeting immigrants with criminal background, says the Obama administration.

What do the rules say—As per the eligibility criteria for Deferred Action Program, misdemeanors don’t include any minor traffic offences even though they might be punishable for a period extending 5 days in jail.

And the offenses related to immigration under norms of US states will also be excluded from being considered as misdemeanors. With regard to juvenile or expunged convictions, any decision will be taken on the basis of each individual case.