By: Ashmar Mandou

Just three months ago, scores of undocumented hopefuls filed lines inside Navy Pier on Dream Relief Day for their chance to apply to the two-year program waiver known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Since that historic day, many undocumented youth, who were unable to seek assistance, are still left in the dark as to how to properly apply for DACA and many prospective applicants are heading towards notarios and pricey attorneys. “The benefits of deferred action are what young, immigrant youth and their families have been hoping for. However, we must help to protect them from inexperience and costly lawyers who may take advantage of the community,” said Marty Castro, a long-time local and national community leader, immigrant advocate and attorney.

Enter VISANOW, a Chicago-based, online application resource aimed to make the process of applying for the two-year waiver easier for those seeking assistance in DACA. VISANOW, according to Castro, who also serves as spokesperson, is uniquely comprehensive in that applicants can phone in and be put in touch with a bilingual attorney within 24 hours at a low, fixed cost. “Following the Navy Pier event Visa Now fielded over 1,000 calls regarding deferred action,” said Castro. “And no one had to wait in a long line, since the complete process occurs online.” What’s also important to note, said Castro, is that VISANOW boasts a steady 99 percent approval rate. “Our customer support team is very cautious in their approach to help those applying for deferred action and the fact that we have a high approval rate is unheard of.”

VISANOW consists of attorneys with years of immigration experience and applicants are guided through a process that helps them determine whether they meet the eligible requirements for deferred action. VISANOW also recommends people with criminal records have their offenses thoroughly reviewed before submitting their application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). “A person could, in effect,’ place himself or herself into removal proceedings by applying for DACA,” added Castro. If you would like to learn more about VISANOW, visit www.dreamact.visanow.com. Or call, 855-603-7326.