The document summarizes an executive action immigration workshop presented by Cowles & Thompson, P.C. It discusses proposed changes to employment-based green cards and work authorizations. It also outlines the requirements and benefits of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA), including protection from deportation, work authorization, and eligibility for drivers licenses and Social Security numbers. The document stresses the importance of consulting an experienced immigration attorney for legal advice regarding any immigration application or criminal matters.

1. EXECUTIVE ACTION IMMIGRATION
WORKSHOP
Presented by: Cowles & Thompson, P.C.

2. EXECUTIVE ACTION
PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT CHANGES
• Employment based Green cards – increased
efficiency for faster processing
• Increased portability for employment green
card applicants
• H-4 work authorization
• Expansion of NIW and temporary parole as
option for entrepreneurs, researchers, and
inventors

3. EXECUTIVE ACTION
PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT CHANGES
(CONT)
• F-1 Students Optional Practical Training
(OPT) expansion of STEM fields and
extension of OPT beyond 29 months
• Review and modernize PERM labor
certification processes
• Enforcement group to protect immigrant
rights

4. DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD
ARRIVALS (DACA) AND DEFERRED
ACTION FOR PARENTAL
ACCOUNTABILITY (DAPA)

5. BRIEFLY…
•DACA and DAPA provides
temporary protection against
deportation/removal for those
who qualify.
• If approved, a person is eligible to
stay and work in the U.S for a
period of time.

6. DACA REQUIREMENTS
Came to the U.S. before
age 16;
Have continuously resided in
the United States since
January 1, 2010; and
Physically present in the U.S.
on November 20, 2014 and
at the time of making the
request

7. DACA REQUIREMENTS
• Currently in school,
graduated from high
school or have a GED
•Or have been honorably
discharged from the
Coast Guard or Armed
Forces of the United
States.

8. Old DACA New DACA
Entered the US before age 16 Entered the US before age 16
Entered before 6/7/2007 Entered before 1/1/2010
OUT of STATUS as of
OUT of STATUS as of
06/15/2012
11/20/2014
Lived continuously in the US
since 06/15/2012
Lived continuously in the US
since 01/01/2010
Under 31 years old as of
06/15/2012
No age limit!
Term 2 years Term 3 years

9. DAPA REQUIREMENTS
Has U.S. citizen or permanent
resident child as of November
20, 2014,
Have continuously resided in
the United States since
January 1, 2010,
Physically present in the U.S.
on November 20, 2014 and at
the time of making the
request, and
Has paid or is willing to pay
taxes owed

10. DACA AND DACA
REQUIREMENTS
Have not been convicted of:
•Felony
•Significant Misdemeanor
•Multiple Minor Misdemeanors

11. DACA AND DACA
BENEFITS
• Protection from
deportation (“removal”)
• Employment
Authorization (EAD)
• Social Security Number
(SS#)
• Drivers license (State-by-state
issue)

12. What should I do
to prepare?

13. PROOF OF IDENTITY
• Official Birth
Certificate
• Passport/Matricula
Consular
• Identification Cards
from school, work,
membership,
driver’s license

14. PROOF OF USC/LPR CHILDREN
FOR DAPA APPLICANTS
You will need your child’s:
• Official U.S. Birth Certificate
• If child was not born in U.S. , get
official birth certificate, and
• Green Card or
• US Passport or
• US naturalization certificate

15. PROOF OF PRESENCE
• School records
• Bank
statements
•Immunization
Records
•Church
Records
• Work Records -
W-2s or 1099
• Tax Returns
•Phone Records
• Lease/Ownershi
p Property
Records

16. CRIMINAL RECORDS
FUTURE RECORDS
• Keep all
documents
related to the
offense
• Don’t have a
future record
PAST RECORDS
• Request certified
copies from the
court
• Proof of
expunged
records

17. CONSULT WITH A CRIMINAL
DEFENSE ATTORNEY REGARDING
ANY CRIMINAL MATTER.

18. FAMILY UNITY WAIVER (I-601A)
What does it do ?
• Allows individuals
who have accrued
more than 180 days
of unlawful
presence in the U.S.
to obtain a green
card
Who does it help?
• The spouse, sons
and daughters of
U.S. citizens AND
• The spouse, sons
or daughters of
legal permanent
residents
What is Required?
An approved family petition and an
immigrant visa available

19. WHY YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY
Immigration applications are never “just
forms.” There are complex legal rules and
consequences to every application.
Facts of each case are different. The
information provided here is general in
nature and should not be relied upon for
specific situations and is not legal advice.
Consult with an experienced immigration
attorney to get the right advice.

20. WHAT AN ATTORNEY SHOULD DO FOR YOU
 Advise you of the law and your
options
 Thoroughly review your case facts
 Recommend your best course of
action
 Represent and defend you before
the government
 Prepare or review all legal
documents
 Monitor the status of your case

21. GET QUALIFIED HELP!
AVOID IMMIGRATION
SCAMS

22. ATTORNEY QUALIFICATIONS
•Focused on immigration law
•Reputation for excellent
service, trustworthy, and quick
response to clients
• Lots of experience in
immigration cases
• Strong organization

23. CONSULTATIONS
Complete
questionnaire
Meet with
Cowles &
Thompson
attorney for
10 minutes
Get
information
on How to
Hire Attorney
for Fastest
Service
Provide
contact
information
for
immigration
updates

24. Cowles & Thompson, PC
901 Main Street, Suite 3900
Dallas, Texas 75202
214-672-2000 Telephone
immigration@cowlesthompson.com

25. Marilou Martinez Stevens
CPA & Associates, P.C.
851 S RL Thornton Freeway
Suite #102
Dallas, TX 75203
Tel: 214-946-9326
Fax: 214-946-2834

26. FEDERAL TAX RETURNS
1. What is a ITIN(individual tax identification
Number)? How is one obtained?
2. If I have not filed federal tax returns, how many
years of taxes return most I filed? Will I pay taxes?
3. When should I start filing my tax returns?
4. What if I did not keep any records to prepare tax
returns?
5. Difference between employee and contractor?