Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Update

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published the most recent statistics on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.  As of January 17, 2013, USCIS had received 407,899 applications.  Of those applications, 13,366 were initially rejected.  This means that there was a problem with the application itself, such as missing documents or missing fees.  Of the remaining 394,533 applications, 154,404 have been approved.  USCIS does not release statistics on how many applications are denied.  Therefore, it is not known whether the remaining 240,000 applications are still pending or have been denied.

USCIS also does not publish statistics on how long it takes to process the deferred action applications.  From my experience, I can say that I have made applications in October which remain pending.  y advice with respect to visa petitions has been to expect about six to eight months before receiving a decision.  At this point, the applications I have made have not reached the six to eight month mark.

Applications peaked in September and October of 2012, and have steadily dropped off since then.  However, applications for deferred action are still being accepted.  More information about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals can be found on my web page.

By:  William J. Kovatch, Jr.
(703) 837-8832
info@kovatchimmigrationlaw.com

Updated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Statistics

USCIS has released updated statistics on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.  Through November 15th, a total of about 309,000 applications have been received.  About 53,000 have been approved.

There was a slight increase in the number of applications between September, where almost 105,000 aliens applied, and October, where about 113,000 applied.  In November, where data for only half the month is available, a little less that 44,000 applications were submitted.  November is therefore on track for around 90,000 applications.

It has been estimated that 1.4 million people present in the United States meet the qualifications of the President's program.  This would mean that to date, a little more than 20% of those believed to be eligible have applied.

The New York Times notes that the agency has not released how many applications, if any, have been denied.

USCIS Statistics can be found at this link.

By:  William J. Kovatch, Jr.
(703) 837-8832
info@kovatchimmigrationlaw.com