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Arab community welcomes historic announcement

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Brooklyn, NY June 15th, 2012 – The Arab American Association of New York commends the Obama administration for their announcement today granting relief to undocumented youth from deportation and the opportunity to work legally in the United States. Eligibility is as follows:

• came to the United States under the age of sixteen;
• has continuously resided in the United States for a least five years preceding the date of this memorandum (6/15/2012) and is present in the United States on the date of this memorandum;
• is currently in school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a general education development certificate, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
• has not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise poses a threat to national security or public safety;
• and is not above the age of thirty

Those not in deportation proceedings will be allowed to apply for deferred action, which will be valid for two years and may be renewable.

“We are overwhelmed with excitement as to what this announcement means for the young Arab and Muslim undocumented youth and their families,” said Linda Sarsour, Executive Director at the Arab American Association of New York. “This relief for Dreamers didn’t come easily- it took years of tireless efforts and dedication from advocates and undocumented youth across the nation. We never gave up.”

“Today I called a local 17-year-old undocumented Arab youth in Brooklyn that I have known for six years to tell him the great news. He fell silent, and told me he couldn’t talk right now. Twenty minutes later, he showed up at my office to tell me in person that I was the first person who has ever made him cry from joy,” said Linda Sarsour. “It meant so much to him and to his family, and I was ecstatic to be the one to give him this great news that he deserves.”

While we welcome this monumental announcement, our immigrant rights movement is not shortsighted. We will continue to push the Administration to reform our entire immigration system and end mass deportation programs like Secure Communities and 287(g). We want to ensure that we keep families united and provide a pathway to citizenship to the many hardworking immigrants that contribute to this great nation.