DACA – Its Current Status in U.S

The hope of being protected from deportation are still alive but the program that supports thousands of people are on a target. This is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). President Trump has knocked down DACA in September 2017. But there were lawsuits files against this move. Judges of federal court in Washington, D.C, New York and California have issues an injunction (preliminary) to withdraw president’s decision.

Now it is on the U.S. Supreme Court to review this decision and DACA. There will be a hearing on November 12 on the program and it was created by then-president Barack Obama in 2012. DACA targets children who are under 16 and were brought to the U.S. illegally. DACA makes young adults undocumented and low priority against deportation.

DACA Application Renewal

When the case is still pending in the court, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accepts renewal application. But they are not accepting first-timers’ applications or parole requests.

What Is DACA

The Secretary of Homeland Security has made an announcement on June 15, 2012 that people who came to the United States as children and meet the guidelines can request for consideration of deferred action for two years and can apply for renewal. They can also apply for work authorization. Deferred action uses prosecutorial discretion for deferring removal action against individuals for a certain time.

When You Can Request DACA

As per the guidelines of USCIS you can request it under these conditions –

• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; You are under the age of as of June 15, 2012.

• You arrived the U.S. before age 16.

• have stayed in this country continuously since June 15, 2007 till date.

• You were present in the United States physically while making your request for deferred action to USCIS.

• No criminal record.

• You are currently in school or graduated or has a certificate of high school completion, has general education development (GED) certificate or you are an honorable and retired veteran of United States’ armed force or coast guard.

• You are not convicted of a crime or misdemeanor or not a threat to national security.  

Contact Foshee and Yaffee for an immigration lawyer in OKC to learn more about it.

**Disclaimer: This content is not to be construed as legal advice nor does it establish terms of a client-attorney relationship.