Ask Angy » New York State Youth Leadership Council

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What would you ask an undocumented immigrant?

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Ask Angy

April 29, 2013

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A class from Wyandotte High School participated in a twitter chat. They Asked Angy tons of questions for about an hour. These questions were related to being undocumented in New York. What would you ask an undocumented immigrant?

AA1Created on Oct 21, 2010. Ask Angy is the first undocumented youth advice column. It was born in the New York State Youth Leadership Council because there was no space to ask questions or seek advice. This blog is a space for youth to email their concerns, questions, stories or simply ask for help without being judged. Email them to Angy at Angy@nysylc.org or fill out this form.

This is a space to let it all out! You don’t have to bottle it up inside. Your stories and worries matter! You are not alone. Remember, the insecurities and fears you have, someone else is them having too. Don’t be afraid to speak out.

LIKE ASK ANGY ON FACEBOOK —>

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Deferred Action and Financial Aid

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Ask Angy

February 27, 2013

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I’m a senior in high school and like every other dreamer I am worried beyond belief. I filed for DACA and received it immediately. Now that January is approaching I’m starting to get nervous about college tuition. I’ve already been accepted to some schools but my main concern is if I’ll be able to go to anyone of them. Is it possible for me to apply for FAFSA without my parents or at all? Does the SSN I was given because of DACA help me in anyway with financial aid? I’m worried I won’t be able to receive it after reading many articles about US citizen students that were denied financial aid because their parents did not have SSN’s.
Do you have any information on this?
MB in CT

Hi MB!

Thank you so much for your e-mail and this question is a very important one. Congratulations on getting your DACA! It must be an exciting time for you.

Unfortunately, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals does not make anyone eligible for federal financial aid, unless they live in states where state financial aid for undocumented youth is available like in California. Deferred Action also doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get more scholarships. DACA only makes it okay for you to work legally, and in some states, drive legally too.

I know it may be frustrating but don’t feel discouraged, I hope Deferred Action opens some doors that were closed before like certain fellowships, internships and jobs.

Did you know… many undocumented youth in your state are experiencing the same thing and trying to do something about it? Check them out here and here. We have a similar situation in New York which is why we’re pushing for the New York Dream Act.

Readers, are any of you having trouble financing your education even though you have Deferred Action?

aaCreated on Oct 21, 2010. Ask Angy is the first undocumented youth advice column. It was born in the New York State Youth Leadership Council because there was no space to ask questions or seek advice. This blog is a space for youth to email their concerns, questions, stories or simply ask for help without being judged. Email them to Angy at Angy@nysylc.org or fill out this form.

This is a space to let it all out! You don’t have to bottle it up inside. Your stories and worries matter! You are not alone. Remember, the insecurities and fears you have, someone else is them having too. Don’t be afraid to speak out.

LIKE ASK ANGY ON FACEBOOK —>

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Deferred Action: How Long Will This Take?

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Ask Angy

January 16, 2013

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Angy,
I went to get help from some lawyers to fill out my Deferred Action form sometime in August. When I got there, he was making corrections and using whiteout and he didn’t seem so sure of what he was doing. I sent my application on the 28th and I haven’t received anything. No letter or text or email. I went online and people were telling me that my application was either delayed or denied. I’m really scared. I don’t know what to do.
G.V.

Hi Angy,
I sent my application since September 24th and I went to my fingerprints on October 29th. I still have not heard whether I’m approved or not. The website says “initial review”. I know this will take time and all but I’m almost about to reach my 90 days that the USCIS says the process “should” take. I’m just wondering, what can I do? I have a friend who went the same day, same time to the fingerprints as I did and she got her permit exactly a month after. Another who went a week before me and she just got it last Thursday. I don’t know what to do! Lol. I’m so anxious and I try to not think about it but I can’t help it.
Thanks for your time!
Arisandi

Hey G.V and Arisandi!
Thank you so so much for the e-mail. Congratulations on sending out your application!

I’m sorry you haven’t heard back from USCIS yet. The wait for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a little bit over three months, maybe four, right now. I know that at first it was happening within a few weeks because there weren’t that many applications going through. Now, there are a lot more applications to process. If you haven’t received a text, email or letter it just means they haven’t got to process your application yet. Since your email and phone number are inside your application, maybe they haven’t even opened it yet?

I don’t think they are looking at the applications in any specific order since I’ve heard of a lot of people who have been waiting up to 3 or 4 months already even though they sent their applications in October. Don’t stress out! If you sent your application to the Vermont office, it has been slow since the Superstorm Sandy. It was also the holidays and New Year, which can add to the delay time.

Also, you won’t hear back about a decision until AFTER you do your biometrics. Before your biometrics come through you can get an RFE (request for evidence) which just means that you didn’t send in enough information the first time around and they need a little bit more. Also, if you forgot to sign some pages, the application may be sent back to you, or your attorney, to be completed.

Just be patient and keep checking out the status of your case on the USCIS website. I hope you’re approved! Let me know how the application process is going.

Readers, how long has YOUR Deferred Action application taken?

aaCreated on Oct 21, 2010. Ask Angy is the first undocumented youth advice column. It was born in the New York State Youth Leadership Council because there was no space to ask questions or seek advice. This blog is a space for youth to email their concerns, questions, stories or simply ask for help without being judged. Email them to Angy at Angy@nysylc.org or fill out this form.

This is a space to let it all out! You don’t have to bottle it up inside. Your stories and worries matter! You are not alone. Remember, the insecurities and fears you have, someone else is them having too. Don’t be afraid to speak out.

LIKE ASK ANGY ON FACEBOOK —>

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Deferred Action: Leaving the Country

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Ask Angy

December 26, 2012

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Hi Angy,
I have been reading up on this new thing Obama passed and I can’t seem to find anything that says would we be able to travel do you know if we can travel after getting Deferred Action?
Nate

Hi Nate,

Thank you so much for your E-mail and trusting this random cyber stranger. This is a really good question and I will try my best to answer it. Please remember that I am NOT AN ATTORNEY and the things that I say here are not legal advice; please speak with one about all these types of things.

When it comes to traveling outside of the country after being granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), USCIS has said that one must apply for advance parole using Form I-131. This form may be updated or altered for those with DACA. However, not everyone will be granted advance parole; it is usually given to someone who is travelling for humanitarian purposes, educational purposes, or employment purposes.

Again, advance parole requests will be looked at on a case-by-case basis and many will be denied. If you are denied, you won’t get a refund. Like DACA, this is a chance we take when applying for anything which is why we must work with a lawyer to not only make sure that everything is okay but that you indeed will be able to leave the country and come back. Those in removal proceedings probably shouldn’t apply; according to USCIS, a departure from the country will have them labeled as ‘deported’ or ‘removed’ and that can affect future immigration applications. Also, I don’t know how dangerous it can be for those over the age of 18 to apply for advance parole since they have accrued unlawful presence which can result in being barred from re-entering.

Nate, please remember that this is all too new and as of now, no one I know has left the country after being granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. I suggest waiting until USCIS comes out with clear guidelines on this and we make sure that leaving the country is something safe. Wouldn’t want for anyone to leave the country and have trouble coming back.

Keep an eye out for updates from USCIS by checking their FAQ sections or getting email updates from us by signing up here using your email.

Also, just wanted to mention that Deferred Action is not something Obama passed. It is not a law, it’s a policy change made by the Department of Homeland Security and Obama simply announced it on TV. If it was issued by the president it would be an executive order.

Take care Nate and I hope this was somewhat helpful.

Created on Oct 21, 2010. Ask Angy is the first undocumented youth advice column. It was born in the New York State Youth Leadership Council because there was no space to ask questions or seek advice. This blog is a space for youth to email their concerns, questions, stories or simply ask for help without being judged. Email them to Angy at Angy@nysylc.org or fill out this form.

This is a space to let it all out! You don’t have to bottle it up inside. Your stories and worries matter! You are not alone. Remember, the insecurities and fears you have, someone else is them having too. Don’t be afraid to speak out.

LIKE ASK ANGY ON FACEBOOK —>

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