Professor Hing, Amagda Pérez Comment on Immigration Policy for Daily Journal

Professor Emeritus Bill Ong Hing and Amagda Pérez, Director of the UC Davis School of Law Immigration Law Clinic, commented for the Daily Journal on the Obama administration's recent shift in policy regarding immigration enforcement.  In June, the president announced that undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16, have been in the country for at least five years, are non-felons, and are currently enrolled in school or have graduated from high school may apply for deferred action status, making it easier for them to get the identification necessary to get a job. 

"What [the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials] have said has been very helpful," said Hing. "But there are some things that are problematic, like what types of crimes will make someone ineligible."

Pérez said that UC Davis School of Law will be working with other organizations to help provide information on these and other questions about the new program.  "We've created a partnership between UC Davis, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association to provide information about the risks and benefits of the program," she said.

Bill Ong Hing is recognized nationally as an immigration law and community lawyering expert.  He is the founder of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center in San Francisco. Amagda Pérez is a member of the King Hall Class of 1991 and Director of the UC Davis School of Law Immigration Law Clinic.  She also serves as the Executive Director of California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation.