DACA recipients whose work-status expires between now and March 2018 need to renew their application for the program, and a Lubbock church is hosting an event to help with that renewal process.
Friday September 22nd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. representatives from the Equal Justice Center in Austin will assist with the application process and answer any questions, especially concerning the uncertain fate of the DACA program.
In early september, the Trump administration announced the end of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, that allows the children of undocumented immigrants to work and study in the U.S. But a six month delay gives Congress a window to save it.
“Right now congress has the last word, and they are the ones that need to be working on this,” Lubbock immigration attorney Paola Ledesma said. “These young people are welcome here in the U.S. They are employees of our companies here in Lubbock, they are students at Texas Tech University or Lubbock Christian, or even in high school. They pay their taxes if they work, and they support their families. So it is good if we have something like this, but we need something more permanent for them.”
She said it is important for the current “Dreamers” to renew their status for now, and events like the clinic should help make the process simple.
“It is important that we have events like this in Lubbock, because people need to know there are resources out there for them,” Ledesma said, adding that resources like this one can be scarce here on the South Plains.
Lawyers and representatives from the Equal Justice Center, some “Dreamers” themselves, traveled up from Austin to provide this clinic.
“We believe it is important to do these free events in this area because there is a scarcity for legal services,” Edgar Navarrete Hernandez said, adding that he understands. “What many of the applicants are going through…the uncertainty that we feel…and the insecurity about our future.”
The clinic will answer questions, as well as provide information about scholarships and financial assistance.
“Some of them do not renew because they don’t have the money,” Ledesma said. “That is something we are trying to work with.”
The event is being held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. For information call 512-474-0007 ext. 109. The flyer asked people to bring their current work permit, 2 passport sized photos, social security card, passport, copies of all criminal documents, all previous DACA applications, and a $495 money order for the application.