Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA

DACA has become an important topic in the last years due to the clashing of administrations and program policy which affect many undocumented youths who came to the United States as children. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a type of administrative relief from deportation, protects eligible immigrant youth who came to the U.S. as children from deportation. DACA has primarily two overarching goals that gives young undocumented immigrants a chance in the United States that include protection from deportation and a work permit. The program expires after two years and is subject to renewal. As of June 18, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision finding that President Donald Trump’s administration’s termination of DACA was judicially reviewable and violated federal law. Due to this finding, the courts ruled that the USCIS will continue to accept DACA renewal applications, and that USCIS could accept and allow first time DACA recipients to apply.

How can I get services under DACA?

Outlined below are the general requirements to become eligible for DACA:

• Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
• At least 15 years old
• Came to the U.S. before reaching your 16^th birthday
• Continuous residence in the U.S. since June 15, 2007 up to the present time
• Physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012
• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012
• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, a GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the U.S.
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety