By Staff
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began accepting Deferred Action applications today. They can be filed online at www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals. City News Service reports a coalition of immigrant rights groups is scheduled to hold a celebratory and informational meeting 11 a.m. today at the San Diego Unified School District offices on Normal Street.
Casa Cornelia, a public interest law firm, is urging residents to use caution when selecting someone to represent them in Deferred Action proceedings. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is the new Department of Homeland Security policy that will allow some undocumented immigrants to get temporary work permits and other privileges.
Charles Gillig, the Casa Cornelia City Heights office manager, said residents should only consult authorized immigration attorneys. He said unqualified attorneys and Notarios may use the confusion of the new policy to take advantage of undocumented immigrants.
Gillig recommends asking for referrals from friends and family and checking the representative’s credentials on one of two websites: American Immigration Lawyers Association (aila.org) or the State Bar of California (calbar.ca.gov).
Casa Cornelia will host a series of educational forums to present what is known about the new policy. The next forum will be Aug. 16 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 4117 Marlborough St. at 7 p.m.
For further information, email Charles Gillig at cgillig@casacornelia.org or visit casacornelia.org.
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