Nicaragua Adjustment & Central American Relief Act (NACARA)

Immigration relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, or NACARA, is available to certain immigrants as the result of a lawsuit settlement agreement reached in January of 1991.  Despite the specific title of this law, immigrants who may be eligible for relief under the law include Guatemalans, Salvadorans and nationals of former Soviet bloc nations.  

The eligibility requirements differ for applicants depending on their countries of origin, and generally include that an applicant must have entered the United States before a certain date, must not have been apprehended by immigration authorities at the time of entry or by a specified date, and, for certain nationalities, must have applied for benefits by a certain date under the lawsuit settlement agreement mentioned above.  Additionally, an applicant may not have been convicted of what is considered to be an aggravated felony under immigration law.

NACARA eligibility is very specific and, as such, requires a detailed and competent analysis.  Indeed, it is likely that the analysis will require that an immigrant have a formal investigation conducted.  Moreover, if a prospective NACARA applicant has an existing removal or deportation order, she may have to first file a motion to reopen her case before the Immigration Court.

The attorneys of the Mercado Law Firm are experienced in handling NACARA relief cases and are available to discuss your case with you.