Freitag, 26. Dezember 2014

The Interview - Filme auf Google Play

The Interview - Filme auf Google Play

U.S. FACT SHEET: 25th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade | Office of the United States Trade Representative

U.S. FACT SHEET: 25th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade | Office of the United States Trade Representative



U.S. FACT SHEET: 25th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Washington, D.C. –– U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, together with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, co-chaired the 25th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Chicago, Illinois, on December 16-18, 2014.  They were joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to address agricultural concerns.  Other U.S. participants included U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Leocadia Zak, and additional representatives from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, State and Treasury and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.  Other Chinese participants included China’s Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai and representatives from the State Council, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministries of Agriculture, Commerce, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Industry and Information Technology, and Science and Technology, the China Civil Aviation Administration, the China Food and Drug Administration, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China National Tourism Administration, the General Administration of Customs, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the State Forestry Administration, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.
The following outcomes were achieved:  
AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
China is the largest export market for U.S. soybeans ($14 billion in 2013) and a major export market for U.S. corn and corn products ($3.5 billion in 2013).  Agricultural biotechnology is important to U.S. farmers of these products, with acreage for biotechnology varieties of soybeans and corn totaling over 90 percent of all varieties of soybeans and corn in 2014, enabling these farmers to increase yield while reducing their environmental footprint. China’s announcement of pending import approvals for three new events will lead to further increases in U.S. exports to China.  In addition, China’s commitment to an intensified, multi-ministerial dialogue at the Vice-Ministerial level on science-based innovation in agriculture will provide a forum for the two sides to discuss needed improvements in China’s regulatory framework for the review and approval of technology used for agriculture, to the benefit of both the United States and China.
Strategic Agricultural Innovation Dialogue
To implement the consensus reached by the Presidents of both countries at their bilateral meeting in November 2014, where China and the United States reached consensus to intensify science-based agricultural innovation for food security and China and the United States committed to strengthen dialogue to enable increased use of innovative technologies in agriculture, both sides agree to conduct an annual Strategic Agricultural Innovation Dialogue at a Vice-Ministerial level under the leadership of the Agriculture Working Group within the framework of JCCT, including officials from MOA, MOFCOM, USTR, USDA and officials from other relevant authorities of both countries.  This dialogue is intended to create a favorable environment where both sides could carry out balanced, mutually beneficial exchange and cooperation on agricultural innovation.  Relevant work plans and issues on the agenda will be put forward by the Agriculture Working Group, and this Vice-Ministerial dialogue will hold its first meeting in early 2015. 
Biotechnology Approvals
In early December 2014, China announced that it would be issuing import approvals for three outstanding biotechnology products of significant importance to U.S. farmers, including two soybean events and one corn event.
TECHNOLOGY LOCALIZATION
Too often, U.S. and other foreign companies operating in China face pressure to transfer valuable intellectual property rights to enterprises in China and to re-locate their research and development activities to China.  Foreign companies operating in China must be free to make business decisions without government interference and must be able to compete on a level playing field.  China’s commitments below should help to promote a more level playing field, although more needs to be done.
The United States and China commit to ensure that both countries treat intellectual property rights owned or developed in other countries the same as domestically owned or developed intellectual property rights.  Enterprises are free to base technology transfer decisions on business and market considerations, and are free to independently negotiate and decide whether and under what circumstances to assign or license intellectual property rights to affiliated or unaffiliated enterprises.  Both China and the United States confirm that the government is entitled to take measures to encourage enterprises to engage in research and development and the creation and protection of intellectual property rights. 
MEDICAL DEVICES AND PHARMACEUTICALS MARKET ACCESS
Exports of U.S. pharmaceutical products to China exceeded $1.2 billion in 2013.  According to industry data, the U.S. pharmaceuticals industry directly employs more than 810,000 workers, supports a total of 3.4 million  jobs in the United States, and provides annual compensation to its workers at approximately twice the average for all U.S. workers.  China’s commitment below to devote more resources to and streamline China’s regulatory processes for pharmaceuticals will speed patient access to new medicines in China and thereby lead to increased U.S. exports to what is now the second largest market for pharmaceuticals in the world. 
Exports of U.S. medical devices to China reached $2.7 billion in 2013.  According to industry data, the U.S. medical device industry includes over 7,000 companies, most with less than 100 employees, and supports 1.9 million U.S. jobs overall. Cutting red tape in China’s medical device approval process, as China has committed to do below, will allow better patient outcomes in, and more exports to, China, which is the industry’s largest growth market. 
China and the United States affirm that significantly reducing the time-to-market for innovative pharmaceutical products and medical devices will benefit patients by allowing them to receive better treatment earlier.  The United States and China have reached the following consensus:
  1. China will accelerate the studying and pushing forward of the reform of the medical device and pharmaceutical regulatory review and approval system, and will make great efforts to eliminate the drug application backlog within 2-3 years.  China’s efforts will include adding personnel, funds, streamlining relevant mechanisms, and increasing the speed of review.
  2. Applicants who use Multi-Regional Clinical Trial data that includes data from China in order to apply for clinical trial waivers, and whose applications comply with the technical review requirements, can receive clinical trial waivers in China, in order to prevent duplicative testing.
  3. China will implement measures that allow a drug not marketed in foreign countries to conduct clinical trials in China at the same time it is conducting clinical trials in another country.  Applicants can submit evidence of marketing approval of a pharmaceutical product in another country (i.e. certificate of pharmaceutical product) when applying for the drug license after completing clinical trials.
China and the United States agree that for all draft pharmaceutical and medical device rules and regulations where notifications are required under the relevant WTO rules, a comment period will be provided that will be no less than 60 days.
In accordance with the Regulations on Supervisory Management of Medical Devices, China will, to facilitate practical regulatory needs, further accelerate the expansion and adjustment of clinical trial product exemption catalogues; expand the scope of medical devices that can be exempted from conducting clinical trials in China; reduce the number of medical device clinical trials and improve the efficiency of bringing imported medical devices to the Chinese market.     
China and the United States agree to engage in enhanced dialogue with expert and high-level officials of relevant Chinese and U.S. agencies in 2015 to promote efficient pharmaceutical and medical device regulation and market access.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Protection of Trade Secrets in Government Proceedings and Trade Secrets Legislative Developments
Businesses and other entities in a wide variety of industry sectors rely on the ability to protect their trade secrets and their rights in other proprietary information.  This information is often among a company’s core assets, and a company’s competitiveness may depend on its capacity to protect these assets. Trade secret theft threatens to diminish U.S. competitiveness around the globe, and puts American jobs at risk. This theft may arise in a variety of circumstances, including through the misuse of information submitted to government entities for purposes of complying with regulatory obligations.  Through the commitments described below, which build on prior bilateral commitments made by China, China confirms the importance of protecting companies’ trade secrets, and agrees to study and exchange information on how to improve its protections, and to take enforcement actions when violations occur.
The United States and China confirm that trade secrets submitted to the government in administrative or regulatory proceedings are to be protected from improper disclosure to the public and only disclosed to government officials in connection with their official duties in accordance with law.  Each side will further study how to optimize its respective relevant administrative and regulatory procedures within its legal system, where appropriate, including by strengthening confidentiality protection measures, limiting the scope of government personnel having access to trade secrets, limiting the information required from companies to include only information reasonably necessary for satisfying regulatory purposes, and stipulating that any requirements on government agencies to publicly disclose information appropriately allow for the withholding of trade secrets.  Government officials who illegally disclose companies’ trade secrets are to be subject to administrative or legal liability according to law.  The United States and China agree to exchange information on the scope of protection of trade secrets and confidential business information under their respective legal systems.  China acknowledges that it is to conduct a legislative study of a revised law on trade secrets.  The United States acknowledges that draft legislation proposing a Federal civil cause of action for trade secrets misappropriation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress.
Geographical Indications
The United States has engaged extensively with its trading partners to promote and secure access to foreign markets for U.S. exporters whose products use trademarks or common names like “parmesan” and “feta” cheese.  The Chinese commitments described below ensure that China’s growing market remains open to exports of these U.S. products, which are substantial and increasing.  For example, exports of U.S. cheeses to China increased by 600 percent between 2009 and 2013. 
China and the United States acknowledge the importance of providing strong intellectual property protections and understand the following:
  • That a term, or its translation or transliteration, is not eligible for protection as a GI in its territory where the term is generic in its territory;
  • That the relationship between trademarks and GIs is to be handled in accordance with relevant articles in the TRIPS Agreement;
  • That legal means are available for interested third parties on the above grounds to object to and to cancel any registration or recognition granted to a GI; and
  • Where a component of a compound GI is generic in its territory, the GI protection is not to extend to that generic component.  In the event a relevant agency does not have a disclaimer practice, the agency may adopt such practice noting that the compound GI registered or recognized is to be protected only in compound form.
China and the United States are to hold dialogues on geographical indications.
Inventor Remuneration
Promoting predictability in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including by affirming freedom of contract in inventor employment agreements, promotes critical innovation and research, areas in which the United States excels.  China’s commitment below recognizes the importance of predictability for inventors in respect of their inventions and creations and should help to achieve that objective for inventors who are subject to China’s domestic laws.
The United States and China commit to protect the legal rights of inventors in respect of their inventions and creations, in accordance with their respective domestic laws and regulations, and in line with their domestic laws, commit to respect the legitimate rules and regulations developed by employers and legitimate contracts between employers and inventors concerning inventor remuneration and awards.
Data Supplementation
Achieving greater consistency in the evaluation of patent application data is critical to ensure that pharmaceutical inventions protected elsewhere in the world are also recognized in China.  China’s fast-growing pharmaceuticals market is already the world’s second-largest, and it represents a major growth opportunity for U.S. exports.  Through the continuing engagement with China described below, the United States will strive to ensure that China’s patent authorities operate with the consistency found in other markets around the world.
The U.S. and China have been maintaining a useful and informative discussion on the supplementation of data, since the 24th JCCT in 2013, and China has made improvements on the practice pursuant to Chinese laws and regulations. Both sides affirm that continued exchanges and engagement on specific cases are beneficial.
Sales of IP-Intensive Goods and Services
Effective enforcement of intellectual property rights creates an environment in which sales of legitimate intellectual property-intensive goods and services can flourish.  China’s commitment below will bring new focus to the United States’ and China’s work together to determine how best to foster a better environment for facilitating increased sales of legitimate intellectual property-intensive goods and services in China.
The United States and China reaffirm their commitments to foster a better environment to facilitate increased sales of legitimate IP intensive goods and services (“legitimate sales”).  The United States and China agree to study and exchange information on how to accomplish this objective.  Areas of study and exchange are to include, as appropriate:  metrics to show the levels of legitimate sales; information on how to analyze the economic impact of IP in each economy, sharing data on IP-intensive imports and exports if available; information on effective IP enforcement actions as well as relevant IP-related legal and regulatory reforms, and information on civil damages.  The status of the discussion is to be reflected in the annual report of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade IPR working group.
Online Infringement
A rapidly growing share of sales in China occurs in the online environment, making it critical to focus enforcement attention there to combat sales of pirated and counterfeit goods.  Through the commitments described below, China has agreed to work together with the United States and to take steps to prioritize its enforcement in this area.
China and the United States are to strengthen enforcement against unlawful trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy activities in the online environment and  to deter the occurrence of infringement and counterfeiting through criminal, civil and administrative remedies and penalties, according to law.  Building on the foundation of the June 18, 2014 Leading Group’s Work Plan for Fighting Infringement in the Online Environment, China will, in a practical and timely fashion, classify products with significant impacts on public health and safety as priorities, and carry-out enhanced enforcement actions.  Both China and the United States are to continue their effective cooperation in cross-border enforcement efforts against counterfeit and pirated goods, and conduct exchanges on the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.
COMPETITION LAW
U.S. industry has asserted that China’s competition policy enforcement authorities seem to be targeting foreign companies and at times use Anti-monopoly Law investigations as a tool to protect and promote domestic national champions and domestic industries. U.S. industry also has expressed concern about insufficient predictability, fairness and transparency in China’s investigative processes, as well as pressure from the Chinese authorities not to seek outside counsel or have counsel present at meetings.  China’s commitments below help to address several of these concerns.
  1. In order to build on the recognition of the United States and China in the Sixth Meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue that the objective of competition policy is to promote consumer welfare and economic efficiency, rather than promote individual competitors or industries, and that the enforcement of their respective competition laws should be fair, transparent, objective, and non-discriminatory, and China’s commitment that its three Antimonopoly Enforcement Agencies (AMEAs) are to provide to any party under investigation information about the AMEA’s competition concerns with the conduct or transaction, as well as an effective opportunity for the party to present evidence in its defense:
      a) China clarifies that in enforcing the AML, all business operators shall be treated equally.
    b) Where AML violations are found, China clarifies that it is to impose enforcement measures that address the harm to competition, and  not to impose enforcement measures designed to promote individual competitors or industries.
  2. China clarifies that its AMEAs will, (1) when undertaking administrative actions, strictly follow statutory limits on their authority, procedures, and requirements as laid out in China’s relevant laws, regulations and rules; and (2) before imposing penalties, notify the parties of the facts, grounds, and basis according to which the administrative penalties are to be decided, notify the parties of the rights that they enjoy in accordance with the law, and provide the parties with the right to state their cases and to defend themselves.
  3. China clarifies that all administrative decisions that impose liability on a party under the AML will be provided in writing to the party and include the facts, reasons, and evidence on which the decision is based. China clarifies that it will publish the final version of administrative decisions that impose liability on a party under the AML in a timely manner.  Administrative decisions made public in accordance with law should not include contents involving what are legally commercial secrets.
  4. China will ensure that, upon request from a party involved, the three AMEAs are to allow Chinese practicing lawyers to attend and participate in meetings with any of the three AMEAs.  China will ensure that, upon request from the party involved, and after obtaining approval from the AMEA, which shall be granted as normal practice, the following persons may attend the meetings with any of the three AMEAs: (1) representatives of foreign law firm representative offices established in China, who are permitted to attend and advise on international law and practice and provide information on the impact of the Chinese legal environment, but not permitted to conduct activities that encompass Chinese legal affairs, and (2) foreign legal counsel practicing in other legal jurisdictions, who are permitted to attend and provide information on the subject transaction or conduct and information on the laws or international practices of the legal jurisdiction where they practice.
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS
Chinese government agencies spent almost $230 billion on purchases of goods and services in 2012. China's commitments below represent a step in the right direction to help ensure that the goods of U.S. companies invested in China and goods imported from the United States can access this important government procurement market, while China and other WTO members continue to negotiate the terms of China's accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.  
China confirms that it will publish for public comment the draft Interim Administrative Measures for the Government Procurement of Domestic Goods after revising and improving it on the basis of thorough consideration of various opinions, including achieving cost savings, decreasing administrative burdens, and increasing flexibilities.
TREATMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN STANDARDS SETTING
The United States has agreed to conduct a dialogue with China to reduce uncertainties regarding protections for companies contributing patented technology during standards-setting processes in China.  Voluntary, consensus-based technological standards promote innovation, competition and consumer welfare and have helped spur investment and advances in a wide range of industries.  Companies contributing patented technology during a standards-setting process typically agree to license their patents under certain terms.  These terms need to be agreed voluntarily and free of government coercion or involvement.
China and the United States recognize that standards setting can promote innovation, competition and consumer welfare.  They also reaffirm that IPR protection and enforcement is critical to promote innovation, including when companies voluntarily agree to incorporate patents protecting technologies into a standard.  Both sides recognize that specific concerns may exist relating to the licensing of standard essential patents that are subject to licensing agreements.  China and the United States commit to continue engaging in discussion of these issues.
FISHERIES
Illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing is detrimental to fish stocks and unfair to fisherman catching fish legally, depressing prices and damaging trade.  Information sharing to combat IUU fishing is an important step in stopping IUU-caught fish from entering commerce. Current U.S. trade in fisheries products, valued at $1.2 billion in U.S. exports and $2.8 billion in U.S. imports, is expected to increase due to increased volumes to be traded as well as increased product value. Increased transparency in trade statistics, to which the United States and China have committed below, will ultimately contribute to the sustainability of fisheries resources and increase the value of legally harvested products. 
The United States and China agree to work together to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing, including by developing and sharing improved data on trade in fish and fish products.  As a first step, both sides agree to meet in the first half of 2015 to begin sharing information about methodologies on trade statistics for fish and fish products, including greater specificity in the harmonized system, species of interest, and best practices for tracking product.
LEGAL SERVICES
China agrees to conduct research and discussion at an appropriate time in 2015 to introduce the status and process of opening the Chinese legal services market, and to invite advice and suggestions from the foreign legal community. In the pilot work of exploring ways and mechanisms for strengthening business cooperation between Chinese and foreign, Hong Kong, and Macau law firms in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, Chinese relevant authorities are in the process of drafting implementation rules. Both sides agree to continue to exchange ideas on this work.
COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES
Administrative Law
To further enhance mutual understanding of the two sides’ administrative licensing procedures and their impact on the business community, the United States and China held a productive joint exchange on administrative licensing in Washington, DC in May 2014 that included participation of the business communities of both sides. The United States and China will continue their joint exchange in Spring 2015 by broadening the topic of discussion beyond administrative licensing to other administrative law and administrative procedure issues of concern to our business communities, including the protection of confidential business information in administrative proceedings, and accountability for administrative decision making, with additional topics to be mutually determined.
Bad Faith Trademark Filings
The United States’ 60 trademark-intensive industries represent over 22 million American jobs, according to a U.S. Commerce Department study.  A key challenge faced by U.S. trademark owners in China arises from bad faith trademark filings. The United States plans to use strengthened discussions with China to work toward a satisfactory resolution of this issue as quickly as possible.
Both sides agree to continue to prioritize the issue of bad faith trademark filings, and to strengthen communication and exchange on this issue through existing bilateral and multilateral channels.
Engagement on Judicial Best Practices
The United States and China commit to continue to strengthen exchange and cooperation on issues related to judicial organs through the IPR Working Group and other bilateral mechanisms.
Food and Drug Safety Inspections
To promote bilateral cooperation in food safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine signed the Implementing Arrangement Between the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States of America and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China Regarding the Cooperative Mechanism of Food Safety Regulatory Staff  on the placement of food safety regulatory staff in one another’s country.  The U.S. FDA and the China Food and Drug Administration also signed theImplementing Arrangement Between the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States of America and the China Food and Drug Administration of the People’s Republic of China Regarding the Cooperative Mechanism of Regulatory Staff on the placement of drug safety regulatory staff in one another’s country in November 2014. 
Licensing of Technology
The United States and China both commit to continue to maintain exchanges and dialogue regarding technology import and export license agreement issues.
Trade Statistics
The JCCT Statistics Working Group (SWG) in December 2014 signed a document that outlines the working group’s future work on analyzing the U.S.-China trade statistics.  It is the first time that the working group’s work plan includes trade in services in addition to goods. The SWG, under the JCCT, is a highly cooperative effort through which the United States and China discuss statistical issues to achieve a better mutual understanding of the official statistics that each country produces.  This work fosters a better understanding of the economic ties between the United States and China and helps each country understand the bilateral trade statistics.
U.S.-China Legal Exchange
The U.S. Department of Commerce and China’s Ministry of Commerce and State Council Legislative Affairs Office agreed to lead the U.S.-China Legal Exchange in January 2015, during which U.S. government representatives are to inform members of the Chinese business, legal, and academic communities in Beijing and Wuhan, China of recent developments in U.S. law on the topics of regulation of air pollution control and legal aspects of conducting international electronic commerce. Both sides agreed to convene the next Legal Exchange in the United States, and to work together promptly to agree on the topics to be covered in the exchange and the cities in the United States where it will take place.

Videobotschaft von Präsident Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama ...

Donnerstag, 18. Dezember 2014

frauTV-extra: Auma Obama - Die Welt ein bisschen besser machen : frauTV Weihnachtsspecial: Wie schafft frau Weihnachten? vom 18.12.2014 - WDR MEDIATHEK

frauTV-extra: Auma Obama - Die Welt ein bisschen besser machen : frauTV Weihnachtsspecial: Wie schafft frau Weihnachten? vom 18.12.2014 - WDR MEDIATHEK

US-AUSSENPOLITIK : Neuer Kurs der USA in der Kuba-Politik FACT SHEET: Charting a New Course on Cuba | The White House

US-AUSSENPOLITIK : Neuer Kurs der USA in der Kuba-Politik FACT SHEET: Charting a New Course on Cuba | The White House

US-AUSSENPOLITIK : Neuer Kurs der USA in der Kuba-Politik
President Barack Obama talks with Ricardo Zuniga, National Security Council's Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs, after the President delivered a statement on Cuba and the release of American Alan Gross in the Oval Office, Dec. 17, 2014. National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice watches from the doorway. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The White House

Washington / Berlin 17. Dezember 2014

Büro des Pressesprechers des Weißen Hauses

WASHINGTON – (AD) – Nachfolgend finden Sie eine Übersicht des Pressereferats des Weißen Hauses vom 17. Dezember 2014 über den historischen Kurswechsel der Vereinigten Staaten in den Beziehungen zu Kuba.
Die Vereinigten Staaten unternehmen heute historische Schritte, um einen Kurswechsel in ihren Beziehungen zu #Kuba einzuleiten und die kubanische Bevölkerung mehr einzubinden und zu stärken. Zwischen uns liegen 90 Meilen [144 Kilometer] Wasser, aber uns verbinden die Beziehungen zwischen den zwei Millionen Kubanern und Amerikanern kubanischer Abstammung, die in den Vereinigten Staaten leben, und den 11 Millionen Kubanern, die sich alle eine positivere Zukunft für Kuba erhoffen. 
Es ist klar, dass die jahrzehntelange Isolation Kubas durch die Vereinigten Staaten nicht dazu geführt hat, unser fortdauerndes Ziel zu verwirklichen, Kuba zu einem demokratischen, wohlhabenden und stabilen Land zu machen. Zeitweise hat die langjährige US - Politik gegenüber Kuba die Vereinigten Staaten von ihren regionalen und internationalen Partnern isoliert, unsere Fähigkeit gehemmt, in der westlichen Welt Einfluss zu nehmen und die Anwendung des ganzen Spektrums der Instrumente behindert, die den Vereinigten Staaten zur Verfügung stehen, um in Kuba positiven Wandel zu fördern. Obwohl dieser Politik beste Absichten zugrunde lagen, hat sie wenig bewirkt – ebenso wie im Jahr 1961 wird Kuba auch heute von den Castro s und der Kommunistischen Partei regiert.
Wir können nicht weiterhin dasselbe tun und uns davon ein anderes Ergebnis erhoffen. Es liegt weder im Interesse der Vereinigten Staaten noch im Interesse der kubanischen Bevölkerung, Kuba in den Abgrund zu treiben. Wir wissen aus eigener, bitterer Erfahrung, dass es besser ist, Reformen anzuregen und zu unterstützen, als eine Politik zu verhängen, an der ein Staat zwangsläufig scheitern wird.
Mit unseren heutigen Maßnahmen rufen wir Kuba auf, das Potenzial der 11 Millionen Kubaner freizusetzen, indem unnötige Restriktionen im Hinblick auf ihre politischen, sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten aufgehoben werden. In diesem Sinne sollten wir nicht zulassen, dass amerikanische Sanktionen die Belastung der kubanischen Bürger, denen wir helfen wollen, noch erhöhen.
Heute erneuern wir unsere Führungsrolle auf dem gesamtamerikanischen Kontinent. Wir entscheiden uns, die Lasten der Vergangenheit über Bord zu werfen, weil das absolut notwendig ist, um eine bessere Zukunft zu gestalten – für unsere nationalen Interessen, für die Amerikaner und für die Kubaner.
Hauptbestandteile der neuen Politik:
Seit seinem Amtsantritt im Jahr 2009 hat Präsident Barack Obama Schritte unternommen, um die kubanische Bevölkerung dabei zu unterstützen, mehr Kontrolle über ihr Leben zu gewinnen und die Zukunft ihres Landes selbst in die Hand zu nehmen.
Heute kündigte Präsident Barack Obama mehrere Maßnahmen an, die darauf abzielen, unsere überholte Einstellung zu beenden und in Kuba effektiver einen Wandel zu fördern, der mit der Unterstützung der Menschen in Kuba durch die Vereinigten Staaten sowie mit den amerikanischen Sicherheitsinteressen in Einklang steht.


Zu den wichtigsten Elementen der neuen Vorgehensweise des Präsidenten gehören:
Aufnahme diplomatischer Beziehungen zu Kuba:
•Präsident Barack Obama hat Außenminister John Kerry angewiesen, sofort Gespräche mit Kuba über die Wiederaufnahme diplomatischer Beziehungen zu Kuba anzuberaumen, die im Januar 1961 abgebrochen worden waren.

• In den kommenden Monaten werden wir im Rahmen des Normalisierungsprozesses wieder eine Botschaft in Havanna einrichten und einen Austausch und Besuche hochrangiger Regierungsbeamter durchführen. In einem ersten Schritt wird der Abteilungsleiter für Angelegenheiten der Westlichen Hemisphäre im US-Außenministerium die amerikanische Delegation in der nächsten Runde der Verhandlungen über Einwanderung zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Kuba im Januar 2015 in Havanna anführen.
•Die Vereinigten Staaten werden sich, wenn es angemessen ist, mit entscheidendem Einsatz engagieren, was auch beinhaltet, weiterhin verbesserte Menschenrechtsbedingungen und demokratische Reformen in Kuba sowie andere Maßnahmen zu unterstützen, die auf die Förderung verbesserter Bedingungen für die kubanische Bevölkerung abzielen.
•Die Vereinigten Staaten werden mit Kuba in Bereichen zusammenarbeiten, die von gegenseitigem Interesse sind und amerikanische Interessen vorantreiben. Dazu gehören unter anderem die Bereiche Einwanderung und Umweltschutz sowie der Kampf gegen Drogen und Menschenhandel.
Anpassung der Regelungen, um die Bevölkerung Kubas effektiver zu stärken:
•Die heute angekündigten Änderungen werden demnächst durch Änderungen geltender Regelungen des Handels- und des Finanzministeriums umgesetzt werden. Unsere neue Politik wird unser Ziel, die kubanische Bevölkerung zu stärken, weiter fördern.
•Unsere Politik im Hinblick auf Reisen und Finanztransfers hilft den Kubanern, indem sie alternative Informationsquellen und Chancen für Selbstständigkeit und Besitz privaten Eigentums eröffnet und die Zivilgesellschaft stärkt.
•Diese Maßnahmen werden die zwischenmenschlichen Kontakte weiter stärken, die Unterstützung der kubanischen Zivilgesellschaft erhöhen und den ungehinderten Informationsfluss zu, von und zwischen den Kubanern weiter fördern. Betroffene müssen alle Bestimmungen der überarbeiteten Regelungen erfüllen; Verstöße gegen die Bedingungen werden nach amerikanischem Recht geahndet.
Förderung der Ausweitung von Reisen im Rahmen allgemeiner Genehmigungen für die 12 existierenden Kategorien für Reisen nach Kuba, die gesetzlich gestattet sind:
•Allgemeine Genehmigungen werden für alle autorisierten Reisenden in den folgenden bestehenden Kategorien erteilt: (1) Familienbesuche; (2) offizielle Angelegenheiten der US-Regierung, ausländischer Regierungen und bestimmter zwischenstaatlicher Organisationen; (3) journalistische Aktivitäten; (4) berufliche Recherchen und Sitzungen; (5) Bildungsaktivitäten; (6) religiöse Aktivitäten; (7) öffentliche Auftritte, Workshops, Sport- und andere Wettkämpfe sowie Ausstellungen; (8) Unterstützung der kubanischen Bevölkerung; (9) humanitäre Projekte; (10) Aktivitäten privater Stiftungen oder Forschungs- und Bildungseinrichtungen; (11) Ausfuhr, Einfuhr oder Übertragung von Informationen oder Informationsmaterial; sowie (12) bestimmte Exporttransaktionen, die unter
den bestehenden Regelungen und Richtlinien für die Autorisierung in Betracht gezogen werden können.
•Reisende in den 12 gesetzlich genehmigten Kategorien für Reisen nach Kuba werden die Möglichkeit haben, durch jeden Dienstleister Vorkehrungen treffen zu lassen, der den Bestimmungen für Reisedienstleistungen für Kuba des Büros des US-Finanzministeriums zur Kontrolle ausländischer Geldanlagen (Office of Foreign Assets Control - OFAC) entspricht, und allgemeine Genehmigungen werden solche Dienstleistungen autorisieren.
Die Änderungen der Politik werden es Amerikanern erleichtern, privatwirtschaftlichen kubanischen Unternehmen und Kleinbauern berufliche Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen und andere Unterstützung für das Wachstum des im Entstehen begriffenen kubanischen Privatsektors anzubieten. Weitere Möglichkeiten, die Ausweitung unternehmerischer Initiativen und des Privatsektors in Kuba zu fördern, werden untersucht werden.
Erleichterung von Finanztransfers von Amerikanern nach Kuba:
•Die Höhe erlaubter Finanztransfers wird von 500 US-Dollar auf 2000 US-Dollar pro Quartal für allgemeine Überweisungen an kubanische Staatsbürger (außer an bestimmte Regierungsbeamte und Angehörige der Kommunistischen Partei) erhöht; Vermögensübertragungen für humanitäre Projekte, die Unterstützung der Menschen in Kuba und die Unterstützung der Entwicklung privater Unternehmen in Kuba werden keine spezielle Genehmigung mehr erfordern.
•Es wird keine besondere Genehmigung mehr nötig sein, um Überweisungen nach Kuba zu tätigen.
Genehmigung des erweiterten Verkaufs und Exports bestimmter Waren und Dienstleistungen aus den Vereinigten Staaten:
•Die Erweiterung wird darauf abzielen, die im Entstehen begriffene kubanische Privatwirtschaft zu stärken. Zu den für den Export genehmigten Waren gehören auch bestimmte Baustoffe für den Bau privater Wohnhäuser, Güter für die Nutzung durch kubanische Unternehmer im Privatsektor sowie landwirtschaftliche Geräte für kleine Landbauern. Diese Veränderungen werden den Bürgern Kubas den Zugang zu bestimmten preisgünstigeren Produkten erleichtern, wodurch sie ihren Lebensstandard erhöhen und größere wirtschaftliche Unabhängigkeit vom Staat erlangen können.
Erweiterte Einfuhrerlaubnis von kubanischen Waren für Amerikaner:
•Autorisierte Kuba-Reisende aus den Vereinigten Staaten werden die Erlaubnis erhalten, Waren im Wert von 400 US-Dollar aus Kuba einzuführen, wobei Tabakwaren und Alkohol zusammen einen Wert von 100 US-Dollar nicht überschreiten dürfen.
Erleichterung autorisierter Überweisungen zwischen den USA und Kuba:
•Es wird US-Institutionen gestattet sein, korrespondenzkonten bei kubanischen Finanzinstituten zu eröffnen, um die Bearbeitung autorisierter Überweisungen zu erleichtern.
•Die behördliche Definition des gesetzlichen Begriffs "cash in advance" in "cash before transfer of title" geändert wird. 
Dadurch wird eine effizientere Finanzierung des autorisierten Handels mit Kuba ermöglicht.
•Reisende werden ihre Kredit- und Debitkarten aus den Vereinigten Staaten in Kuba verwenden dürfen.
•Diese Maßnahmen werden die Geschwindigkeit, Effizienz und die Überwachung autorisierter Zahlungen zwischen den USA und Kuba verbessern.
Schaffung neuer Initiativen zur Verbesserung des Zugangs zu Kommunikationsmedien für Kubaner und ihrer Möglichkeiten, frei zu kommunizieren:
•Die Internetverbreitung liegt in Kuba bei ungefähr fünf Prozent – das ist eine der niedrigsten Raten weltweit. Die Kosten für Telekommunikation sind in Kuba übermäßig hoch, während die angebotenen Leistungen extrem begrenzt sind.
•Der gewerbliche Export einiger Produkte, die es den Kubanern erleichtern werden, mit Menschen in den Vereinigten Staaten und anderswo zu kommunizieren, wird autorisiert. Das wird auch den Verkauf bestimmter Kommunikationsendgeräte, der dazugehörigen Software, Anwendungen, Hardware und Dienstleistungen sowie von Produkten zur Installation und Aktualisierung von Telekommunikationssystemen beinhalten.
•Telekommunikationsanbieter werden die Erlaubnis erhalten, in Kuba die notwendigen Mechanismen und Infrastruktur in Kuba aufzubauen, um Telekommunikations- und Internetdienste gewerblich anbieten zu können. Dadurch wird die Telekommunikation zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Kuba verbessert werden.
Aktualisierung der Anwendung der Kuba-Sanktionen in Drittstaaten:
•Einrichtungen in US-Besitz oder unter US-Verwaltung in Drittstaaten werden Genehmigungen erhalten, um kubanischen Staatsbürgern in Drittstaaten Dienstleistungen und Finanztransaktionen anzubieten. Zusätzlich werden weitere allgemeine Genehmigungen erteilt, so dass unter anderem die blockierten US-Bankkonten kubanischer Bürger, die außerhalb Kubas leben, freigegeben werden, US-Bürger an beruflichen Treffen und Konferenzen teilnehmen können, die sich mit Kuba beschäftigen und ausländische Schiffe in die Vereinigten Staaten kommen dürfen, nachdem sie bestimmten humanitären Handel mit Kuba betrieben haben.
Fortsetzung der Gespräche mit der kubanischen und der mexikanischen Regierung über den unklaren Verlauf der Seegrenzen im Golf von Mexiko: 

•Frühere Abkommen zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Kuba begrenzen das Hoheitsgebiet zwischen den beiden Ländern auf eine Ausdehnung von maximal 200 Seemeilen vor der Küste des jeweiligen Staates. Die Vereinigten Staaten, Kuba und Mexiko haben ihren Kontinentalschelf in einen Bereich des Golfes von Mexiko ausgedehnt, für den es noch keine Einigung über den Verlauf der Seegrenzen gibt.
•Die Vereinigten Staaten sind bereit, die Regierungen Kubas und Mexikos zu Gesprächen über gemeinsame Seegrenzen im Golf von Mexiko einzuladen. 
Einleitung der Überprüfung der Einstufung Kubas als Staat, der Terrorismus unterstützt:
•Präsident Barack Obama hat Außenminister John Kerry angewiesen, umgehend eine solche Überprüfung einzuleiten und dem Präsidenten innerhalb von sechs Monaten einen Bericht über Kubas Unterstützung des internationalen Terrorismus vorzulegen. Kuba wurde 1982 als ein solcher Staat eingestuft.
Erwägung der Teilnahme Kubas am Gipfel der Organisation Amerikanischer Staaten 2015 in Panama:
•Präsident Barack Obama wird am Amerika‑Gipfel in Panama teilnehmen. Schwerpunktthemen des Gipfels werden Menschenrechte und Demokratie sein. Es muss der kubanischen Zivilgesellschaft gestattet sein – entsprechend der Festlegung der Region in der Interamerikanischen Demokratiecharta (Inter-American Democratic Charter) – gemeinsam mit der Zivilgesellschaft anderer Staaten an diesem Gipfel teilzunehmen. Die Vereinigten Staaten begrüßen einen konstruktiven Dialog der teilnehmenden Regierungen über die Prinzipien des Gipfels.
Unermüdlicher Einsatz für Demokratie, Menschenrechte und Zivilgesellschaft:
Ein wichtiger Schwerpunkt unseres verstärkten Engagements mit Kuba wird es sein, dass die Vereinigten Staaten sich weiterhin stark für verbesserte Menschenrechtsbedingungen und demokratische Reformen in Kuba nachhaltig einsetzen. Die Förderung der Demokratie stärkt die allgemeinen Menschenrechte, indem die Zivilgesellschaft, die Meinungs-, Versammlungs- und Vereinigungsfreiheit und die Möglichkeit des Einzelnen der Selbstbestimmung über die eigene Zukunft gefördert werden. Unsere Bemühungen zielen darauf ab, die Unabhängigkeit des kubanischen Volkes zu fördern, sodass es nicht mehr auf den Staat angewiesen ist.
Der US-Kongress finanziert Demokratieprogramme in Kuba, um humanitäre Hilfe zu leisten, Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten zu fördern und den freien Informationsfluss dort zu unterstützen, wo er beschränkt ist und der Zensur unterliegt. Die Administration wird weiterhin US-Programme umsetzen, die positiven Wandel in Kuba fördern, und wir werden hochrangige Beamte zu Reformen ermutigen. 
Die Vereinigten Staaten ermutigten alle Nationen und Organisationen, die in diplomatischem Dialog mit der kubanischen Regierung stehen, jede öffentliche oder nicht-öffentliche Gelegenheit wahrzunehmen, um sich für eine größere Achtung der Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten in Kuba einzusetzen.
Letztendlich werden es die Kubanerinnen und Kubaner selbst sein, die wirtschaftliche und politische Reformen vorantreiben. Deshalb hat Präsident Obama 2009 und 2011 und auch heute Schritte eingeleitet, die den kubanischen Bürgerinnen und Bürgern Zugang zu mehr Ressourcen und mehr Informationen ermöglichen. Die kubanische Bevölkerung verdient die volle Unterstützung der Vereinigten Staaten und der gesamten Region, die sich in derInteramerikanischen Demokratiecharta zur Förderung und Verteidigung der Demokratie verpflichtet hat.






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Executive Actions on Immigration | USCIS

Executive Actions on Immigration

President Barack Obama delivers an address to the nation on immigration, from the East Room of the White House, Nov. 20, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)



On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.  
These initiatives include:
  • Expanding the population eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to young people who came to this country before turning 16 years old and have been present since January 1, 2010, and extending the period of DACA and work authorization from two years to three years | Details
  • Allowing parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been present in the country since January 1, 2010, to request deferred action and employment authorization for three years, in a new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program, provided they pass required background checks | Details
  • Expanding the use of provisional waivers of unlawful presence to include the spouses and sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents and the sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | Details
  • Modernizing, improving and clarifying immigrant and nonimmigrant programs to grow our economy and create jobs | Details
  • Promoting citizenship education and public awareness for lawful permanent residents and providing an option for naturalization applicants to use credit cards to pay the application fee | Details
Important notice: These initiatives have not yet been implemented, and USCIS is not accepting any requests or applications at this time. Beware of anyone who offers to help you submit an application or a request for any of these actions before they are available. You could become a victim of an immigration scam. Subscribe to this page to get updates when new information is posted. 

Next steps

USCIS and other agencies and offices are responsible for implementing these initiatives as soon as possible. Some initiatives will be implemented over the next several months and some will take longer.
Over the coming months, USCIS will produce detailed explanations, instructions, regulations and forms as necessary. The brief summaries provided below offer basic information about each initiative. 
While USCIS is not accepting requests or applications at this time, if you believe you may be eligible for one of the initiatives listed above, you can prepare by gathering documents that establish factors such as your:
  • Identity;
  • Relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; and
  • Continuous residence in the United States over the last five years or more.
We strongly encourage you to subscribe to receive an email whenever additional information on these initiatives is available on our website. We will also post updates onFacebook and Twitter.
Share this page with your friends and family members. Remind them that the only way to be sure to get the facts is to get them directly from USCIS. Unauthorized practitioners of immigration law may try to take advantage of you by charging a fee to submit forms to USCIS on your behalf or by claiming to provide other special access or expedited services which do not exist. To learn how to get the right immigration help, go to the Avoid Scamspage.
Below are summaries of major planned initiatives by USCIS, including:
  • Who is eligible
  • What the initiative will do
  • When you can begin to make a request
  • How to make a request
1. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program
Who
  • Current DACA recipients seeking renewal and new applicants, including individuals born prior to June 15, 1981, who meet all other DACA guidelines.
What
  • Allows individuals born prior to June 15, 1981, to apply for DACA (removing the upper age restriction) provided they meet all other guidelines.
  • Requires continuous residence in the United States since January 1, 2010, rather than the prior requirement of June 15, 2007.
  • Extends the deferred action period and employment authorization to three years from the current two years.
When
  • Approximately 90 days following the President’s November 20, 2014, announcement.
How

2. Deferred action for parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents
Who
  • An undocumented individual living in the United States who, on the date of the announcement, is the parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and who meets the guidelines listed below.
What
  • Allows parents to request deferred action and employment authorization if they:
    • Have continuous residence in the United States since January 1, 2010;
    • Are the parents of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident born on or before November 20, 2014; and
    • Are not an enforcement priority for removal from the United States, pursuant to the November 20, 2014, Policies for the Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants Memorandum.
Notes: USCIS will consider each request for Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) on a case-by-case basis. Enforcement priorities include (but are not limited to) national security and public safety threats.
When
  • Approximately 180 days following the President’s November 20, 2014, announcement.
How
  • Subscribe to this page to receive updates by email.

3. Provisional waivers of unlawful presence
Who
  • Undocumented individuals who have resided unlawfully in the United States for at least 180 days and who are:
    • The sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and
    • The spouse and sons or daughters of lawful permanent residents.
What
  • Expands the provisional waiver program announced in 2013 by allowing the spouses, sons or daughters of lawful permanent residents and sons and daughters of U.S. citizens to get a waiver if a visa is available. There may be instances when the qualifying relative is not the petitioner.
  • Clarifies the meaning of the “extreme hardship” standard that must be met to obtain a waiver.
Notes: Currently, only spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens are allowed to apply to obtain a provisional waiver if a visa is available. For more information about the waivers program, go to the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers page which will be updated over the next several months.
When
  • Upon issuing of new guidelines and regulations.
How
  • Subscribe to this page to receive updates by email.

4. Modernize, improve and clarify immigrant and nonimmigrant programs to grow our economy and create jobs
Who
  • U.S. businesses, foreign investors, researchers, inventors and skilled foreign workers.
What
USCIS will:
  • Work with the Department of State to develop a method to allocate immigrant visas to ensure that all immigrant visas authorized by Congress are issued to eligible individuals when there is sufficient demand for such visas.
  • Work with the Department of State to modify the Visa Bulletin system to more simply and reliably make determinations of visa availability.
  • Provide clarity on adjustment portability to remove unnecessary restrictions on natural career progression and general job mobility to provide relief to workers facing lengthy adjustment delays.  
  • Clarify the standard by which a national interest waiver may be granted to foreign inventors, researchers and founders of start-up enterprises to benefit the U.S economy.
  • Authorize parole, on a case-by-case basis, to eligible inventors, researchers and founders of start-up enterprises who may not yet qualify for a national interest waiver, but who:
    • Have been awarded substantial U.S. investor financing; or
    • Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through the development of new technologies or the pursuit of cutting-edge research. 
  • Finalize a rule to provide work authorization to the spouses of certain H-1B visa holders who are on the path to lawful permanent resident status. 
  • Work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to develop regulations for notice and comment to expand and extend the use ofoptional practical training (OPT) for foreign students, consistent with existing law.
  • Provide clear, consolidated guidance on the meaning of “specialized knowledge” to bring greater clarity and integrity to the L-1B program, improve consistency in adjudications, and enhance companies’ confidence in the program.
When
  • Upon issuing necessary guidance and regulations.
How
  • Subscribe to this page to receive updates by email.

5. Promote the naturalization process
Who
  • Lawful permanent residents eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship
What
  • Promote citizenship education and public awareness for lawful permanent residents.
  • Allow naturalization applicants to use credit cards to pay the application fee. 
  • Assess potential for partial fee waivers in the next biennial fee study.
Notes: Go to the U.S. Citizenship page to learn about the naturalization process and visit the Citizenship Resource Center to find naturalization test preparation resources. You can also visit the N-400, Application for Naturalization, page.
When
  • During 2015
How
  • Subscribe to this page to receive updates by email.
  

Key Questions and Answers

Q1: When will USCIS begin accepting applications related to these executive initiatives?
A1:  While USCIS is not accepting applications at this time, individuals who think they may be eligible for one or more of the new initiatives may prepare now by gathering documentation that establishes factors such as their:
  • Identity;
  • Relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; and
  • Continuous residence in the United States over the last five years or more.
USCIS expects to begin accepting applications for the:
  • Expanded DACA program approximately 90 days after the President’s November 20, 2014, announcement; and
  • Deferred action for parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (Deferred Action for Parental Accountability) approximately 180 days after the President’s November 20, 2014, announcement. 
Others programs will be implemented after new guidance and regulations are issued.
We strongly encourage you to subscribe to receive an email whenever additional information is available on the USCIS website. Remember that the only way to get official information is directly from USCIS. Unauthorized practitioners of immigration law may try to take advantage of you by charging a fee to submit forms to USCIS on your behalf or by claiming to provide other special access or expedited services which do not exist. To learn how to get the right immigration help, visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for tips on filing forms, reporting scams and finding accredited legal services.
Q2: How many individuals does USCIS expect will apply?
A2: Preliminary estimates show that roughly 4.9 million individuals may be eligible for the initiatives announced by the President. However, there is no way to predict with certainty how many individuals will apply. USCIS will decide applications on a case-by-case basis and encourages as many people as possible to consider these new initiatives. During the first two years of DACA, approximately 60 percent of potentially eligible individuals came forward. However, given differences among the population eligible for these initiatives and DACA, actual participation rates may vary.
Q3: Will there be a cutoff date for individuals to apply?
A3: The initiatives do not include deadlines. Nevertheless, USCIS encourages all eligible individuals to carefully review each initiative and, once the initiative becomes available, make a decision as soon as possible about whether to apply. 
Q4: How long will applicants have to wait for a decision on their application?
A4: The timeframe for completing this new pending workload depends on a variety of factors. USCIS will be working to process applications as expeditiously as possible while maintaining program integrity and customer service. Our aim is to complete all applications received by the end of next year before the end of 2016, consistent with our target processing time of completing review of applications within approximately one year of receipt. In addition, USCIS will provide each applicant with notification of receipt of their application within 60 days of receiving it.
Q5: Will USCIS need to expand its workforce and/or seek appropriated funds to implement these new initiatives?
A5: USCIS will need to adjust its staffing to sufficiently address this new workload. Any hiring will be funded through application fees rather than appropriated funds.
Q6: Will the processing of other applications and petitions (such as family-based petitions and green card applications) be delayed?
A6: USCIS is working hard to build capacity and increase staffing to begin accepting requests and applications for the initiatives. We will monitor resources and capacity very closely, and we will keep the public and all of our stakeholders informed as this process develops over the course of the coming months. 
Q7: What security checks and anti-fraud efforts will USCIS conduct to identify individuals requesting deferred action who have criminal backgrounds or who otherwise pose a public safety threat or national security risk?
A7: USCIS is committed to maintaining the security and integrity of the immigration system. Individuals seeking deferred action relief under these new initiatives will undergo thorough background checks, including but not limited to 10-print fingerprint, primary name and alias name checks against databases maintained by DHS and other federal government agencies. These checks are designed to identify individuals who may pose a national security or public safety threat, have a criminal background, have perpetrated fraud, or who may be otherwise ineligible to request deferred action. No individual will be granted relief without passing these background checks.
In addition, USCIS will conduct an individual review of each case. USCIS officers are trained to identify indicators of fraud, including fraudulent documents. As with other immigration requests, all applicants will be warned that knowingly misrepresenting or failing to disclose facts will subject them to criminal prosecution and possible removal from the United States.
Q8: What if someone’s case is denied or they fail to pass a background check?
A8: Individuals who knowingly make a misrepresentation, or knowingly fail to disclose facts, in an effort to obtain deferred action or work authorization through this process will not receive favorable consideration for deferred action. In addition, USCIS will apply its current policy governing the referral of individual cases to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the issuance of Notices to Appear before an immigration judge. If the background check or other information uncovered during the review of a request for deferred action indicates that an individual’s presence in the United States threatens public safety or national security, USCIS will deny the request and refer the matter for criminal investigation and possible removal by ICE, consistent with existing processes.  
Q9: If I currently have DACA, will I need to do anything to receive the third year of deferred action and work authorization provided by the executive initiatives?
A9: The new three-year work authorization timeframe will be applied for applications currently pending and those received after the President’s announcement. Work authorizations already issued for a two-year period under the current guidelines will continue to be valid through the validity period indicated on the card. USCIS is exploring means to extend previously issued two-year work authorization renewals to the new three-year period.
Q10: Will the information I share in my request for consideration of deferred action be used for immigration enforcement purposes?
A10: Information provided in your request is protected from disclosure to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the purpose of immigration enforcement proceedings unless you meet the criteria for the issuance of a Notice to Appear or a referral to ICE under the criteria set forth in USCIS’ Notice to Appear guidance. Individuals who are granted deferred action will not be referred to ICE. The information may be shared, however, with national security and law enforcement agencies, including ICE and CBP, for purposes other than removal, including:
  • Assisting in the consideration of the deferred action request;
  • To identify or prevent fraudulent claims;
  • For national security purposes; or
  • For the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense. 
This policy covers family members and guardians, in addition to you.
Q11: What is USCIS doing to assist dependents of U.S. armed services personnel?
A11: USCIS is working with the Department of Defense to determine how to expand parole authorization to dependents of certain individuals enlisting or enlisted in the U.S. armed services. For information on the existing parole-in-place policy for military personnel, please read this policy memorandum.

Glossary

  • Continuous residence: For a detailed explanation, go to the USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 3: Continuous Residence.
  • DACA: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program launched in 2012. For more information, go to the Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)page.
  • Deferred action: A use of prosecutorial discretion to not remove an individual from the country for a set period of time, unless the deferred action is terminated for some reason. Deferred action is determined on a case-by-case basis and only establishes lawful presence but does not provide immigration status or benefits of any kind. DACA is one type of deferred action.
  • Parole in place: Immigration and Nationality Act section 212(d)(5)(A) gives the Secretary the discretion, on a case-by-case basis, to “parole” for “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit” an alien applying for admission to the United States. Although it is most frequently used to permit an alien who is outside the United States to come into U.S. territory, parole may also be granted to aliens who are already physically present in the U.S. without inspection or admission. This latter use of parole is sometimes called “parole in place.”
  • Prosecutorial discretion: The legal authority to choose whether or not to take action against an individual for committing an offense.
  • Provisional waiver: Waiver for individuals who are otherwise inadmissible due to more than 180 days of unlawful presence in the United States, based on a showing of extreme hardship to certain U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members, which allows the individual to return after departure for an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. For more information, go to the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers page.
You can find definitions of other terms used on our website in Glossary of Terms.