Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today praised the Administration’s decision to grant “deferred action” to immigrants eligible for the DREAM Act. Effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible on a case by case basis to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization. Last year, Bennet and 21 of his colleagues sent a letter to President Obama urging deferred action for Dreamers.
“As superintendent of Denver Public Schools I met kids who were working hard, who had been in this country since they had been crawling, and who knew no other home than this country. They only wanted a chance to succeed. But they realized that the opportunities that are available to my children are not available to them, through no fault of their own. This announcement will provide much needed relief, certainty and breathing room for Dreamers who attend Denver Public Schools, and hundreds of thousands more across Colorado and the nation. It will also benefit our state and our country. All of our communities are served by a well-educated population and the military service of our young people.”
“Now that we’ve taken this important step forward, we must come together on bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, which is critical for Colorado’s businesses, communities and families.”
The memorandum sent by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano establishes specific criteria to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Individuals who can prove through verifiable documentation that they meet the criteria will be eligible for deferred action. Once ‘deferred action’ is granted, individuals will be able to apply for legal work authorization cards. More information regarding the new policy can be found at the Department of Homeland Security website.