deferred action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deferred action" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or administrative contexts to refer to a temporary postponement of a decision or action, often related to immigration or policy matters. Example: "The government announced a policy of deferred action for certain undocumented immigrants, allowing them to remain in the country without fear of deportation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I'm happy that I have deferred action, I'm happy that something like deferred action came to be," Manzano said.

Huffington Post

Individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program are encouraged to apply.

University of California, Berkeley

A federal official said "only a handful" of immigrants had had their deferred action terminated.

The New York Times

Barboza expected to apply for deferred action against deportation, or DACA, after a Hillary Clinton victory.

The New Yorker

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page on how to request deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA).

Columbia University

This is because many undocumented immigrants will not be eligible for or apply for deferred action.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Despite some marketers' breathless tones, Mr. Kies of PricewaterhouseCoopers said, most investors can safely defer action.

The New York Times

And so they created the Browne Review, deferring action until after the election.

The Guardian

They decided to defer action until they had more time to consider the recommendation.

The New York Times

Republicans appear to believe they can simply defer action until 2015.

The Washington Post

People will defer action on a tough issue until it is no longer bearable.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about immigration policies, use "deferred action" to accurately describe the temporary postponement of deportation for certain individuals. This term is commonly associated with programs like DACA and DAPA.

Common error

Avoid implying that "deferred action" grants permanent legal status or a path to citizenship. It only provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization.

Linguistic Context

Deferred action functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe a specific administrative decision or policy. Ludwig AI shows its use primarily in discussing immigration and policy decisions, as seen in the examples related to DACA and DAPA.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deferred action" is commonly used in immigration contexts to describe the temporary postponement of deportation. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as a noun phrase and is primarily used in news and academic settings. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to avoid implying that it provides permanent legal status. Alternative phrases such as "delayed action" or "temporary reprieve" can be used depending on the specific context, however, "deferred action" is a direct and widely recognized term in legal and policy discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed action

Focuses on the postponement aspect of the action.

postponed decision

Highlights the delayed nature of a decision.

temporary reprieve

Emphasizes the temporary relief provided by the action.

administrative stay

Indicates a temporary suspension of administrative procedures.

delayed enforcement

Focuses on the postponement of enforcing a rule or law.

moratorium

Suggests a temporary prohibition or suspension of an activity.

stay of execution

Implies a temporary halt to a planned action, often in legal contexts.

suspension of proceedings

Indicates a temporary interruption of legal or administrative processes.

delay in implementation

Highlights the time-related aspect of not putting something into effect.

respite from enforcement

Emphasizes temporary relief from being subjected to enforcement.

FAQs

How is "deferred action" typically used in immigration contexts?

In immigration law, "deferred action" refers to a decision by immigration authorities to temporarily postpone the deportation of an individual. It doesn't provide legal status but allows the person to remain in the country and often obtain work authorization.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "deferred action"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "delayed action", "temporary reprieve", or "administrative stay".

What's the difference between "deferred action" and amnesty?

"Deferred action" is a temporary measure that postpones deportation, while amnesty (or legalization) provides a pathway to permanent legal status or citizenship. They are fundamentally different in scope and effect.

How can I use "deferred action" in a sentence about DACA?

You might say, "The "Deferred Action" for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provided temporary protection from deportation to eligible undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children".