THERMAL, Calif. — Leaders of Tomorrow, FIRME Productions, and Comité Cívico del Valle are presenting a Deferred Action workshop this Saturday, October 13, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Desert Mirage High School.

The event will feature a session by immigration lawyer Russell Jauregui, from noon to 2 p.m. He is providing his services free of charge.

A maximum of 70 students will be accepted.

Juaregui will be going over the application process with attendees. Under this program, eligible youth can file applications to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to avoid deportation and obtain the right to work. USCIS began accepting applications, available on its website, on August 15. The application fee is $465.

“Some people think Deferred Action is amnesty or the DREAM Act, but it’s nothing like that,” said Jose M. Chiquito, founder of Leaders of Tomorrow, made up of local college students. “This is for students with a clean record, those with a criminal background can not apply.”

“The lack of information affects our community greatly, especially in Thermal and Mecca where people don’t have Internet access,” said Chiquito. “Television commercials are telling people that amnesty is here and the DREAM Act has passed. The students who have been waiting so long for this can easily fall for it and get scammed.”

Although he is aware that many people are opposed to his point of view, Chiquito strongly believes that students who came to the United States as children, have a good record, and speak the English language deserve the opportunity to stay.

“If they are good citizens and have lived their lives here, there is no justification to make them leave,” he said.

To reserve a spot, contact Leaders of Tomorrow at [email protected] or (760) 335-6864.

Fore more information about Deferred Action program, visit www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals.