SEATTLE – Nearly 10 years ago, “Alvaro” and his wife left their home in Guadalajara and came to the U.S. in search of a better, safer life.

“Living in Mexico is very dangerous,” said the former lawyer, who asked that his real name not be used. “A lot of people don’t see that.”

In the U.S., though, deportation has been a constant fear for the couple, who are parishioners in the Seattle Archdiocese. Their daughter, who attends a Catholic elementary school, was born in the U.S. and so is an American citizen.

“We pray all day, every day, but we never say our fears in front of our daughter,” said Alvaro, a construction worker.

Now he sees some hope for his future, after President Barack Obama’s November announcement of a new immigration program, Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA).

The program will allow eligible parents of U.S. citizens and legal residents to work here without threat of deportation for three years; after that, they can reapply. The president also announced expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, for those brought to the U.S. before age 16.

To assist immigrants here, Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo recently penned two joint letters, one to immigrant parishioners, the other to parishes and schools.

“Please know that we support your efforts to keep your families together,” the bishops said in their Jan. 8 letter to immigrants, written in English and Spanish. They acknowledged the administration’s action provides only temporary relief, writing, “We will not rest until the Congress enacts comprehensive immigration reform that is just and compassionate.”

The letter also explains how immigrants can find legitimate help submitting applications — starting Feb. 18 for expanded DACA and in May for DAPA — and avoid fraudulent offers of assistance.

“The biggest risk is notarios,” said Christopher Koehler, director of immigrant assistance at St. James Cathedral. A notario is basically a notary public, who doesn’t have the authorization to help with immigration issues, he explained.

The best route is contacting an immigration attorney or a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative, said Donna Rieper, coordinator of Catholic Community Services Family Immigration in Mount Vernon. “No one else can really help you in immigration issues,” said Rieper, who is an accredited representative.

And “nobody who is reputable is charging a fee yet, because they aren’t providing a service yet,” Koehler said.

The archbishop and bishop also sent a letter to leaders of parishes and Catholic schools, encouraging them to help immigrant families gather documents and find legitimate legal advice.

At St. Mary Magdalen School in Everett, Principal Bruce Stewart and Kristen Moore, the development director, meet with Hispanic families every Wednesday to help them transition into Catholic school life.

“I’m thrilled that the Archdiocese of Seattle and the archbishop have responded to this and given us some specific, trusted organizations so we can guide families as they begin this process,” Moore said.

Although DAPA and DACA aren’t pathways to citizenship, Koehler said the programs “take away fear, which improves health, and it allows people to get work.”

For Alvaro, DAPA status could mean a better-paying job and less worry: “DAPA gives us hope,” he said.

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo included this prayer for migrants in their letter to school and parish leaders:Loving Father,remembering that the Holy Family fled violenceand lived for a time as refugees,we ask that you protect all refugee families fleeing persecution,and provide them a place of safety and comfort.For children who are making perilous journeys,often alone and without the protection of loved ones,we ask that you reunite them with their familiesand protect them from violence on the journey.For all migrants,that they not feel compelled to migratebut have opportunities in their homelandwhere they can thrive and live fully human lives.Open our hearts so that we may provide hospitalityfor those who come in search of refuge.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, forever and ever. Amen.