Documents to Collect for Deferred Action for DREAMers

Although DHS (Immigration) has not yet announced what specific documents will be required for deferred action, we encourage you to begin collecting documents. You do not need every document listed below, but you do need at least one document for categories A, B, and D. You will need several documents for category C, as indicated below. There may be documents you can use which are not on this list.
A. To Prove Your Age (15-30 Years Old)* o Birth certificate from your home country o If you do not have a birth certificate and have difficulty obtaining one, it may be possible to use a passport or other government issued ID from your home country.
* Under 31 years old on June 15, 2012 and at least 15 years old on date of application (unless in removal proceedings)

B. To Prove You Entered the US Before you Turned 16 Years Old: If you came with a visa: o I-94 card o Photocopy of US admission stamp in passport If you came without papers: o Bus ticket or plane ticket from the border to your destination in US o Notice to Appear or other DHS document o Any documents below in Part C that are dated before your 16th birthday C. To Prove Continuous Residence in the US for the Past 5 Years & Physical Presence in the US on June 15, 2012: These items must have your full name and must be dated. Find at least two items of proof for each of the past 5 years and find a couple of additional records dated as close to June 15, 2012 as possible. o School records: records of enrollment, report cards, transcripts, etc. o Medical records: records from doctors office, hospital visit, bills, etc. o Utility bills: phone, internet, electricity, heat, gas, etc. o Financial records: tax returns, bank statements, credit card statements, money wire receipts, loan documents, etc. o Employment records: W-2 forms, paystubs, letter from employer, etc. o Travel records: plane, bus or train tickets within the United States, etc. o Housing records: apartment lease, rent receipts, real estate or mortgage documents, etc. o US legal documents: marriage certificate, divorce certificate, childs birth certificate, etc. o Any records of court appearances: immigration court, housing court, etc. (If criminal court, see Part E) o Proof of participation in afterschool classes or sports teams: registration records, articles, awards, etc. o Religious records: proof of baptism, confirmation, etc. o Selective Service registration card o Anything else that has your full name, is dated, and shows that you were present in the US D. To Prove Your Education/ Military Service: o If you graduated from high school: high school diploma o If currently in high school: school records, recent report cards, recent transcripts, registrar letter o If you got or are getting your GED: GED certificate or proof of enrollment in GED program o If service in Coast Guard or Armed Forces: reports of separation forms, military personnel records, military health records, etc. First consult with a lawyer because you may qualify for naturalization (citizenship). E. If you have ever been arrested: Request certificates of disposition from the criminal court in the county where you were arrested. After getting the certificates of disposition, consult with NYLAG or a trustworthy lawyer before filing for deferred action!

If you have any questions, please contact your NYLAG case handler directly. If you are a new client, please call our deferred action hotline: (212) 613-6597.
New York Legal Assistance Group | 7 Hanover Sq, 18th Fl | New York, NY 10004 | www.nylag.org