What does “deferred action” provide to individuals?

The concept of "deferred action" refers to a discretionary decision by an immigration authority to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. This means that while the individual is technically still in the United States unlawfully, the government has chosen not to pursue their deportation. As a result, those granted deferred action receive temporary relief from removal, allowing them to live and work in the country without the immediate threat of deportation.

This temporary status can help individuals to stabilize their lives while navigating the complexities of their immigration status. It does not provide permanent resident status, a path to citizenship, or access to social security benefits, which can be confusing since those aspects are often associated with other immigration programs or statuses. Overall, deferred action is primarily focused on temporarily protecting individuals from removal, which is the most essential takeaway.