On Friday, June 15, President Obama passed the Dream Act without congressional approval, announcing that the administration would halt the deportation of eligible individuals and issue them work cards for two years.
The Dream Act will end the deportation of young people who immigrated illegally to the USA together with their families, and who until the announcement faced deportation back to their “home" countries—countries often unknown to them and where they have no friends or family, and to add insult to injury: where they may not even speak the language.
To be eligible, the individuals must have proof of the following:
· Came to the United States under the age of 16;
· Have continuously resided in the United States for at least five years preceding the date of this memorandum (6.15.2012), and are present in the United States on the date of this memorandum;
· Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a General Education Development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
· Have not been convicted of a felony offense, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;
· Are not above the age of 30.
Qualified applicants who are already in deportation proceedings will have their deportation halted and be eligible for the relief. It is estimated that this change in policy could affect more than 800,000 immigrants, many of them from European and Scandinavian countries.
The guidance will take effect immediately. The USCIS (immigration service) and ICE (Enforcement) expect to begin implementation of the application within sixty days.

Attorney Jan G Johansson

Jan Gunnar Johansson is a practicing attorney in New York City. Mr. Johansson is admitted in New York State and in Connecticut, both state and federal. Practicing in immigration, corporate, real estate, family law and international law, Mr. Johansson has legal education and degrees from Sweden, England and USA.
Law Offices of Jan G Johansson Tel: (212) 517-2750 • Fax: (212) 988-3285
email: jjlaw@msn.com