Deferred action outside DACA
Deferred action is a decision not to pursue removal against a particular person for a period. Outside DACA it covers military family members, labour investigation witnesses, medical and humanitarian cases, stateless people, and government referrals. It gives no status but can support a work permit.
Para quién es. People with a compelling humanitarian, medical, or public interest reason not to be removed, including military family members and workers cooperating with a labour agency investigation.
Los formularios, en orden
- 1
Identify which deferred action category applies
Military parole in place is a different remedy and uses Form I-131.
- 2
File Form G-325A with the supporting evidence, or the category-specific request
SIJ deferred action stays at $0 even with the EAD request.
- 3
Attend biometrics if scheduled
- 4
If granted, apply for a work permit under category (c)(14) where eligible
Dónde suele fallar
- Deferred action is discretionary and revocable at any time.
- It does not stop the accrual of unlawful presence for people who are not otherwise protected, though it does toll it while the grant is in force.
- Several referral-based categories were narrowed or paused in 2025.
- It confers no status and no path to a green card by itself.
Qué cambió en 2025 y 2026
- USCIS narrowed or paused several deferred action categories during 2025 and 2026, including some labour agency referral cases.
- The 01/20/25 edition of Form G-325A folded the work permit request into the form.