Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
This new immigration reform allows certain undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children to qualify for deferred action for two years. Although this immigration reform will not lead to a green card or U.S. Citizenship as intended in the original “DREAM Act,” it will allow qualified young people to get work authorization, a driver’s license, and a social security number. Deferred Action was announced on June 15, 2012, and went into effect August 15, 2012.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (C.I.R.) would significantly reform the immigration system. If passed, C.I.R. would affect everything from border control and security, detention reform, employment verification, visa availability, and criminal alien removal. One of the key reforms of the C.I.R. is the legalization of undocumented immigrants. The C.I.R. would create a separate immigration status for illegal immigrants, and this status would eventually lead to a Green Card. The act has not passed yet.
Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011 (DREAM Act)
This immigration reform, known as the DREAM Act, would allow qualified undocumented individuals to obtain citizenship. If passed, the DREAM Act would allow qualified young people to get Green Cards. The DREAM Act would be an immigration amnesty for young, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children. The act has not passed yet.