The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it will reopen some cases for those applying for relief from deportation. This comes after a move to end deferment requests received major backlash from Democcratic lawmakers and concerns of those who are seeking medical treatment in The United States Earlier this month, USCIS sent letters to family members who had requested relief from deportation, saying the agency’s field offices “no longer consider requests for deferred action,” except for certain military exceptions. The change in policy brought confusion and fear for families in a time where medical issues plague family finances. When asked about the change, a USCIS official said the agency “is taking immediate corrective action to reopen previously pending cases.” USCIS previously said that it would defer to ICE to determine if nonmilitary issues “warrant deferred action,” according to a spokesperson. But USCIS and ICE procedures are not identical.

After all immigration judical proceeds are exhsuted, individuals may apply for a stay of deportaion or removal with ICE. ICE also does not accept applications for deferred action, a discretionary act that allows the Department of Homeland Security to delay or prevent immigration enforcement, according to ICE.”ICE has broad discretion and exercises that discretion, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis throughout the immigration enforcement process in a variety of ways,” said ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer.

The USCIS official said Monday that, “whether a very limited version of deferred action will continue forward at USCIS is still under review. More information will be forthcoming.” Immigrating to the U.S.? Turn to an attorney who can help you navigate the process with minimal complications. At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we know how to protect the rights of undocumented immigrants in Connecticut.