Immigrants can begin applying for expanded DACA on Feb. 18

When President Barack Obama announced in 2012 that undocumented youth who came to the United States as children would be able to stay and work under a new deferred action program, Juan Carlos Ramos said he was “saddened” to know he didn’t qualify.

The 21-year-old from El Salvador wasn’t eligible for the federal program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, because he arrived in the U.S. in 2009—two years after the initial cut-off date. But in November, Obama announced he would expand the program to benefit more undocumented immigrants, including Ramos.

SEE ALSO: Two years after DACA, report shows the program is working

And now, the federal government has announced it will begin accepting applications on Feb. 18 for the expanded DACA program. Ramos said he plans to be one of the first ones to apply.

“In 2012, when DACA was announced, I was saddened to know that I didn’t qualify. But I knew that our community had my back,” Ramos said. “And now, after a hard-fought campaign in which immigrant youth and families fought to achieve our biggest victory yet, I’m excited to know that I and millions more will be able to benefit from deferred action, and I’ll be signing up the first day.”

The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service made the announcement Thursday through its website. The agency, which is in charge of processing and approving applications, also made it clear it will not accept any applications for the expanded DACA program before Feb. 18.

Initially, the program only allowed individuals to apply if they entered the U.S. before the age of 16, were under the age of 31 and had been living in the country continuously since June 15, 2007, among other requirements.

But in November, Obama announced he would expand DACA by removing the previous age cap of 31 and adjusting the date of entry requirement from June 15, 2007 to January 1, 2010. The president also said he would extend the period of deportation reprieve and work authorization granted to individuals under the program from two years to three years.

“This expansion is set to benefit nearly 1 million people, and will protect them from deportation and provide them with work permits,” stated United We Dream, the nation’s largest immigrant youth-lead organization.

The group also said it plans to hold a number of clinics and work shops as well as sign-up events across the country to help undocumented immigrants apply for the expanded DACA program.

SEE ALSO: Could have Obama expanded deferred action to parents of Dreamers?

Ramos said even though he was happy to hear Obama announce in November the new changes to the DACA program as part of a series of executive actions on immigration, he was reminded of the millions of undocumented immigrants who still won’t qualify for relief.

That includes his brother, who doesn’t qualify for DACA because he was 17 years old when he entered the country. The program requires applicants to have entered the U.S. before the age of 16. Ramos’ parents also won’t qualify for a new deferred action program that Obama announced for parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

“November 20 was a bittersweet day for me because my parents and older brother remained vulnerable to deportation and did not benefit from the new programs,” Ramos said. “But how our community fought for me, we will fight for my family and millions more.”

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