June 15, 2012
Members of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) applaud the White House for today's announcement to offer immigration relief to undocumented students in the form of deferred action. South Asian youth and families stand to benefit from this change in policy, given that individuals from South Asian countries are among the 1 million undocumented students in the United States.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, undocumented individuals brought to the United States before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years and presently reside here, have no criminal history, and have graduated from a US high school or served in the military could receive relief from deportation and permits to work legally in the United States. DHS expects to begin the process for applications within 60 days. Our organizations will release additional information about the impact of this new policy in the near future, and will work with DHS and the White House to ensure its full and fair implementation.
It is important to note that deferred action is a temporary form of relief that does not lead to citizenship. Congress must still take action to craft a permanent solution for relief in order to fix the range of problems with our broken immigration system. But, today's announcement from the White House marks an important moment in the struggle for immigration reform in our country. Today, we lift up the tremendous advocacy of the DREAMers and grassroots organizations around the country, whose courage paved the way for this policy change.
For additional information, please contact info@saalt.org or visit www.saalt.org.
Organizations Signing On:
Adhikaar
Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home)
Chhaya CDC
Council of People's Organization
Counselors Helping (South) Asians/Indians, Inc.
Daya, Inc.
Desis Rising Up & Moving
Manavi
Michigan Asian Indian Family Services
Raksha
Sakhi for South Asian Women
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
Sikh Coalition
South Asian American Policy & Research Institute
South Asian Americans Leading Together
South Asian Council for Social Services
South Asian Health Initiative
South Asian Network
South Asian Progressive Action Collective
South Asian Youth Action
Turning Point for Women & Families
Westchester Square Partnership
