By: Ashmar Mandou

Last week, Jaime di Paulo, executive director of Chicago’s Little Village Chamber of Commerce dedicated Chicago’s 48th Annual Mexican Independence Day parade to the young, undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, known as “Dreamers”. As a follow up to this dedication, Little Village Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Chicago based software company, Road to Status, to offer a free DACA renewal workshop for both online and in person DACA renewal help on Friday, Sept. 22nd at the Central States SER career center at 3948 W. 26th St., Suite 213. This event is also made possible with the support and collaboration from Fwd.us, Central States SER, and Illinois Legal Aid Online. “Dreamers who need to prepare their DACA renewal applications before their legal protections expire can attend the September 22nd event or get access to free immigration paperwork help online through the Little Village Chamber from now until the administration imposed October 5th deadline.” – John Paul Demirdjian – COO Road to Status.

Experts estimate more than 10,000 Dreamers in Illinois are eligible to file for renewal of their DACA status. With physical workshops across the city filling up quickly in advance of the deadline. “We (SER) are happy to provide our computer lab for this event. Having the ability to complete critically important immigration paperwork safely and securely online during this chaotic time is something that everyone in our community can benefit from.” – Guadalupe Preston, Executive Director – SER. During this difficult time, user who completes their DACA renewal application via the Little Village Chamber’s site will also receive a free immigration attorney review of their DACA renewal application prior to filing through the October 5th DACA deadline. Road to Status is providing its software and the additional attorney review services for FREE through this partnerships until the October 5th deadline. Attorney reviews are made available via their network of partner of law firms. Road to Status’ retail DACA renewal application package is typically $148.00 online, but the fees are being waived for partnership events until the October 5th, 2017 deadline. DACA applicants are still responsible for the USCIS filing fees of $495 that are associated with the renewal application. Road to Status team members and network partner attorneys will be on hand during these events to provide support and guidance free of charge.