We have been busy like most of our colleagues around the country preparing and filing Deferred Action for Childhood Admissions (DACA) cases. The program for DREAM Act eligible young people officially opened for applications on August 15th. A lot of people doubted USCIS could move so quickly in launching the program, but they get credit for meeting their own deadline. Now we'll see how the program works. Will cases be adjudicated expeditiously? How soon will the first applicants get their work cards? Will USCIS be reasonable in its review of documents presented to meet the program rules? How forgiving will they be if there are minor problems with the applications (something that is likely to be common since so many applications are being filed without any professional help)?

In this issue we include our detailed FAQ regarding DACA applications.

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This week, the other big anti-immigration state law, Alabama's HB87, was struck down by the 11th Circuit. The two provisions getting the most attention were requirements that schools check the immigration history of students and a bar on contracting with illegally present immigrants. Those provisions are dead. The court is allowing the police stop provision to remain and is relying on the Supreme Court decision in the Arizona case to require plaintiffs wait until the law takes effect before litigating that provision.

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In firm news, I've been honored by being included on Who'sWhoLegal's list of the Top 16 immigration lawyers in the world. Who'sWhoLegal is the research arm of the International Bar Association and the American Bar Association's International Section. I know all of the other lawyers on the list and am really awed to be in their company. The list can be found at http://www.whoswholegal.com/news/analysis/article/29814/most-highly-regarded-firms-corporate-immigration-2012/.

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Readers are reminded that they are welcome to contact my law office if they would like to schedule a telephone or in person consultation with me or one of my colleagues. If you are interested, please call my office at 901-682-6455.

Regards,