REMINDER !! Deferred action for “DREAMers” Q & A Session – Wednesday, July 25th in Columbus, Oh

The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs is pleased to announce an upcoming question and answer session on the Department of Homeland Security’s recent announcement regarding deferred action for qualified young people.  The event will take place on Wednesday, July 25th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Studio Two Theater in the Riffe Center, in downtown Columbus.

The event will feature a discussion and an interactive question and answer format with two expert Ohio immigration attorneys – Shahrzad Allen, Esq. and Jeff Senney, Esq. – both from the Dayton firm Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling.  The discussion will focus on separating facts from myriad speculation on the announcement, and eligibility as well as the steps potential applicants should take to take to prepare for the application.  It will be valuable for community leaders as well as potentially-eligible young people and their families.  Potential applicants are encouraged to bring their families.  The Commission will provide interpretation for those who prefer Spanish.  
   
The DHS announcement regarding deferred action on June 15 raised as many questions for Ohio Hispanics as answers.  Many now seek to take advantage of the uncertainty this announcement has created by victimizing the community.  This event is a great place to get the facts, have your questions answered, and consult with a legal expert on the specifics of this announcement and its ramifications.  OCHLA urges you to make your communities aware of this session or to attend on their behalf.  Please forward this message to your networks!

The Riffe Center is located at 77 South High Street.  Columbus, Ohio – 43215.  Ample parking is available at the Riffe Center itself and nearby.    If you have any questions on the format, content or logistics of this opportunity, please call OCHLA at (614) 466-8333 or email nolan.stevens@ochla.state.oh.us.

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Leaders,

For information – Please share with your networks. Thanks to David Larson for making this information available:

DREAMers Prepare!

Here are some things you can do now to be ready once the procedures for applying for deferred action status are announced by USCIS:

1. Get a certified copy of your birth certificate and a translation, if necessary. The translator must certify that he or she is fluent in English and the particular language involved and that the translation is complete and accurate.

2. Get documentation that you have continuously lived in the U.S. for at least five years before June 15, 2012, and be present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012. Documentation might be:

a. School records, grade cards, transcripts, 

b. Medical records, 

c. Affidavits of friends, relatives, neighbors, school or religious officials or others,

d. Summer program participation records,

e. Sports participation records, 

f. Newspaper mentions, 

g. Photographs with dates occasions and people identified, 

h. Or anything else you can think of that helps to show you were here during the required period.

3. If you have a final order of deportation, you will need a copy of it. If you have this, you can apply to ICE for deferred action immediately and do not have to wait for the USCIS announcement. Also, if you have this, you can be any age and still be eligible to apply.

4. Get one or more of the following documents:

a. Enrollment verification from your school, 

b. Other school records, such as those listed above, to show you are currently enrolled.

c. Your transcript and diploma showing graduation from high school.

d. Your GED certificate,

e. Your honorable discharge record from the US Coast Guard or US Armed Forces,

 

5. Get certified court and police records for any criminal charges or convictions.

6. Meet with an immigration lawyer to review the documentation you are able to gather and to discuss the risks and benefits of applying for deferred action.

David E. LarsonAltick & Corwin Co., L.P.A.Phone: 937-223-1201

1590 Fifth Third CenterEmail:

One South Main Streetlarsond@altickcorwin.com 

Dayton, Ohio 45402-2206Fax: 937-223-5100

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Leaders,

Here is an excellent opportunity for Latinos to be engaged in the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) Board.  This is an outstanding organization  that  works to  enhance the quality of care in Ohio’s behavioral health system and to incorporate cultural competence into systems and organizations that provide care to Ohio’s most vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Please consider applying or nominating someone for this board. You can learn more about MACC at:

http://www.maccinc.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=10

Interested parties or for questions, please contact: Charleta B. Tavares ctavares@maccinc.net

Thank you!! 

Lilly 

Lilleana Cavanaugh, MBA

Executive Director

Ohio Latino Affairs Commission ~ Advise. Connect. Build.

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Riffe Center – 18th Floor
77 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-466-8333 office

614-551-5796 cell
614-995-0896 fax

lilleana.cavanaugh@ohio.gov

Homepage: http://ochla.ohio.gov 
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/ohiolatinocomm