On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security, under former President Barack Obama, announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.

The Status of DACA (updated March 2021):

December 4, 2020

On December 4, 2020, a federal District Court from Brooklyn, New York, ordered that the Wolf Memo be vacated. This Court order allows the DACA program to return to its original state before September 5th, 2017. The Court’s order mandates U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to implement the following actions:

1. USCIS will accept first time requests to be considered for DACA;
2. USCIS will accept DACA renewal requests;
3. USCIS will accept applications for advance parole documents;
4. USCIS will extend one year grants of deferred action under DACA to two years and;
5. USCIS will extend one-year employment authorization documents under DACA to two years.

January 20, 2021

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden issued a memorandum on his first day of office to signal his support towards DACA. This memorandum asks for the acting Secretary of Homeland Security in consultation with the Attorney General to take all actions he deems appropriate and consistent with the law to protect DACA and ensure that it is preserved and fortified.

• Frequently Asked Questions answered by USCIS about the DACA application process.
• DACA Resources July 2021(PDF, 205KB) (PDF)

The status of DACA (updated July 22, 2021)

On July 16, 2021, a US district court in Texas issued a ruling in the case of Texas v. United States holding that DACA is unlawful but allowing the DACA program to continue, for now. The ruling also stated that DACA renewals may continue. The court ruled that new DACA applicants may continue to apply, but no decisions or approvals will be made until further notice. The federal government has stated they will appeal this decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. For the latest information on DACA, visit the National Immigration Law Center. Additionally, we will continue to post updates on the HRCP Facebook page. 

The American financial system can be complex. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources to help you learn how to reach your financial goals.

Get started with the Office of Financial Empowerment & Protection (OFEP). OFEP offers resources that can help you improve your economic well-being and build wealth. Visit their page for:

• Financial Navigation & Consumer Financial Protection if you believe you have been the victim of wage theft, fraud, scam, financial crime or need help connecting with financial assistance programs. 720-913-1900 | CFPD@denvergov.org
• Financial Empowerment Centers through BankOn Denver provide free financial coaching to help you take control of your money with the help of a financial coach free of charge. Free tax services and other navigation resources are also available at 11 different sites across Denver. 720.944.2498 | FEC@denvergov.org

Statement from HRCP and the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs

“Many Denver residents – our family, friends and neighbors – are feeling the immense weight and fear of the Trump Administration’s continued threats of ICE raids. The Denver Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships and the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs want to ensure that all Denver residents, regardless of immigration status, understand they have rights and protections under the law. We encourage residents to look out for and check in on each other and to share Know Your Immigrant Rights information.

Denver is a welcoming city that is fortunate to have a caring community and a broad network of organizations that come together to provide resources for those who seek help as well as a place to report concerns about ICE activity.”

Resources:

•  Know Your Rights in America –

  If you are approached by federal immigration enforcement agents, such as ICE, be aware that you have rights, regardless of your legal status. Download and share our fact sheet in multiple languages to learn more. Please be aware that ICE will NEVER ask for any kind of payment. If they do, they may be ICE imposters. Call the Colorado Rapid Response Network and report the encounter with ICE at 1-844-864-8341. Resources available in: English(PDF, 496KB), Spanish(PDF, 507KB), Vietnamese(PDF, 726KB), Arabic(PDF, 593KB) & Amharic(PDF, 528KB).

• Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund
• American Immigration Lawyers Association Raid Resources

Latest News on Public Charge 

On March 9, 2021, the 2019 public charge rule ended as a result of several federal court rulings and the federal government declining to continue with an appeals process.  On March 15, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency officially removed the 2019 public charge from the Code of Federal Regulations.  The current public charge rule being applied by the US Citizenship Immigration Service based on 1999 memorandum and field guidance that clarify the meaning of the term public charge.  

What is Public Charge?

“Public Charge” is a term used by U.S. immigration officials to refer to a person who is considered likely to become ‘‘primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either (1) the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or (2) institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.’’ An immigrant who is found more likely to become a “public charge” may be denied admission to the U.S. or adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.  

It does not apply to humanitarian immigrants such as refugees; asylees; survivors of domestic violence, trafficking and other serious crimes; special immigrant juveniles; and certain individuals paroled into the U.S.  A complete list is set forth at 8 CFR §212.23(a) as published at 84 Fed. Reg. 41504.Excluded groups from the public charge rule include refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, survivors of trafficking (T visa), domestic violence (VAWA), TPS and SIJS holders, and other serious crimes (U visa) are NOT subject to the “public charge” test nor are people applying for US citizenship.

"What is Public Charge?" Fact Sheets: Available in English(PDF, 127KB), Amharic(PDF, 198KB), Arabic(PDF, 240KB), Burmese(PDF, 229KB), Chinese (simplified)(PDF, 224KB), Dari(PDF, 642KB), Karen(PDF, 115KB), Nepali(PDF, 182KB), Russian(PDF, 219KB), Somali(PDF, 162KB), Spanish(PDF, 170KB), Swahili(PDF, 153KB) and Vietnamese(PDF, 282KB).

Key Resource Websites:

USCIS Public Charge rule information

Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc

Protecting Immigrant Families

ORR Exempted Immigrant Groups from the Public Charge rule - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (PDF)

 Public Charge Information - Colorado Department of Human Services

January 20 2021 (Last Updated March 2021) 

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States which rescinded the Trump Administration’s Presidential Proclamations 9645, 9723 and 9983.

Legal Immigration Resources Questions about eligibility and application? Visit this USCIS page for more information. (set to open in another tab or window)

Looking for a qualified immigration attorney? Visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) search page. (set to open in another tab or window)

Community partners that host Citizenship info sessions and workshops:

Denver Public Library

• Online English conversation practice

• Help practicing for Citizenship test

• Homework help, and more!
• Visit denverlibrary.org/services-immigrants for a program schedule or to make an appointment.
• Join the Facebook group, Plaza at Denver Public Library to stay updated.

Lutheran Family Services - Rocky Mountains

• Assistance and support for those applying for citizenship using an online platform (Go to Citizenshipworks to start the process)

• Free mentoring for those studying for the naturalization civic and English exam

• For questions on applying for citizenship or to register for the Mentorship program, please contact anastasia.delcapio@lfsrm.org via email or call/text 720-316-5621.

Colorado requires an Affidavit of Lawful Presence to obtain a business license in the State of Colorado. 

Find more information about the Business License Center and a copy of the Affidavit of Lawful Presence here.

En Español

La ley de Colorado requiere una Declaración Jurada (Affidavit) de Presencia Legal para obtener una licencia de negocios en el Estado de Colorado. 

Para más información del “Business License Center” y para una copia del Affidavit of Lawful Presence(Declaración Jurada de Presencia Legal) pulsar (hacer clic) aquí.

How To Protect Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft

Personal Information
Key personal information to protect includes:

• Social Security Number
• Alien Registration Number
• Banking Information: checking account and credit or debit card numbers
• Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) for debit and other cards
• Login information or passwords for unemployment or other government services 

Safe places and people to share personal information 

• Safe locations to share personal information when requested include the doctor’s office/hospital, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and schools. These locations are required to keep your personal information safe.
• Neighbors, friends, faith community, organizations, and others who may want to help, are not required by law to protect your personal information.
• Ask a trusted person, or some of the safe places listed above, such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or schools. 

When is it NOT safe to share personal information

• Unsolicited offer for help (someone knocking on your door, approaching you on the street, phone calls, emails, or social media). If you didn’t initiate the contact do not share personal information.
• A helper who requests payment for their services, since many public programs do not require fees to apply.
• Other community members who have voiced concerns about whether or not a certain person or entity is helpful.

Download the informational flyer:

• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (English)(PDF, 305KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Arabic)(PDF, 261KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Burmese)(PDF, 298KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Dari)(PDF, 576KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Rohingya)(PDF, 288KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Somali)(PDF, 484KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Spanish)(PDF, 492KB)

Resources If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

• Colorado Dept of Labor and Employment 
  https://cdle.colorado.gov/fraud-prevention
• U.S. Colorado Attorney General Office 
  https://stopfraudcolorado.gov/fraud-center/identity-theft.html
  800-222-4444, option 9
• Denver District Attorney Identify Theft 
  https://www.denverda.org/identity-theft (additional resources on this page)
  720-913-9179
• Federal Trade Commission 
  https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
  855-411-2372

For questions or assistance, please contact:

Denver Office of Financial Empowerment and Protection - Consumer Financial Protection Unit
720-913-1900 or 720-944-2498

The recent Trump Administration Executive Orders regarding immigration, deportation and travel have caused sincere confusion and concern in our communities. In the coming days and weeks, the Hancock Administration will be gearing up legal protections and supportive services and working with other providers to ensure immigrant and refugee communities have the resources they need and know what their rights are. That starts with empowering people with information and resources.

Denver has a history of welcoming immigrants and refugees and will continue to act as a welcoming city and an ally for all new arrivals.

Learn More About Immigrant & Refugee Assistance

Resources for immigrants and refugees in the Denver metro area:

• Immigrant & Refugee Resource List (Arabic) (PDF)
• Immigrant & Refugee Resource List (Burmese) (PDF)
• Immigrant & Refugee Resource List (English) (PDF)
• Immigrant & Refugee Resource List (French) (PDF)
• Immigrant & Refugee Resource List (Karen) (PDF)
• Immigrant & Refugee Resource List (Nepali) (PDF)
• Immigrant & Refugee Resource List (Spanish) (PDF)

https://www.justice.gov/eoir/Access_EOIR

Search a database of immigrant and refugee resources through Mile High United Way's 2-1-1.

Afghan Newcomer Legal Information Resource Guide

| د قانوني معلوماتو د سرچینې لارښود | د ﻗﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎﺗﻮ د ﺳﺮﭼﯿﻨﯥ ﻻر

• Dari: راﻫﻨﻤﺎی ﻣﻨﺎﺑﻊ اﻃﻼﻋﺎت ﺣﻘﻮﻗﯽ(PDF, 4MB)
• Pashto: د قانوني معلوماتو د سرچینې لارښود(PDF, 2MB)

My City Academy YouTube Playlist

Welcoming Newcomers is available on the My City Academy YouTube Playlist available in English, Dari, and Pashto in response to Afghan evacuees' recent arrival to the Denver metro area. Also available are previous recordings from MCA resident track.

Uniting for Ukraine

On April 25, 2022, the federal government launched a new program to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for certain Ukrainian citizens and their immediate relatives who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole. Ukrainians participating in this program must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. 

For more information about this new program click here: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine   

The Colorado Hosting Asylum Network

The Colorado Hosting Asylum Network is a 501c3 dedicated to supporting Asylum Seekers as they pursue their application for protection in the United States. Find additional information on migrant resources support and sample models here.