DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is still available for renewals, but not new applicants. The information below reviews the history of the program, leading up to the cancellation of the program, the Court rulings blocking that cancellation and proposed legislation for a permanent solution for DACA recipients.
Eligibility.
If you currently have DACA, we can help you renew your DACA. Here is a list of requirements:
You must prove your identity. You should collect all of your identity documents:
• Valid passport
• Valid consular ID card
• DACA Employment Card issued by DHS
NOTE: If this is a renewal, you DO NOT need to prove that you arrived in the United States before age 16, have continuously resided in the United States from 06/15/07 to the present, and evidence you were in the United States on 06/15/12.
You also need to send to USCIS with the application package:
• Two U.S. passport-style photographs (2” x2”); and
• Checks or money orders for filing fees payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” in the amount of $495
Advance Parole.
Advance Parole or the permit to travel is not any longer available through DACA.
The status of the legal battle over DACA.
Here’s a summary of where DACA stands now and where things go from here:
On September 5, 2017, Donald Trump announced the rescission of the DACA program. Those who have DACA status were to begin to lose their status on March 5, 2018, but a San Francisco District Court judge ordered the government to continue renewals. While that case was pending, two other federal judges issued similar injunctions against Trump.
Earlier in 2018, the Administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to expedite its review of these rulings but the Supreme Court refused. In the meantime, the San Francisco judge’s decision was appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In November, 2018, that Court ruled in favor of the DACA recipients and against the Trump Administration. The decision of the three-judge panel was unanimous. While this is not a final decision, it affirms the lower court’s injunction requiring the administration to keep the program open for renewals. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco told the Trump Administration it acted without legal basis when it sought to closed down DACA.
"We conclude that plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that the rescission of DACA -- at least as justified on this record -- is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not in accordance with law," reads the opinion.
What does this mean for DACA?
For now, persons who already have DACA can continue filing renewals. We recommend that applicants do so 150 days before their DACA expires.
Unfortunately, new applicants are still not eligible.
What about DACA legislation?
The 2018 Congress failed to act on DACA. After devoting a week to debating solutions for DACA holders, the Senate did not approve any of several proposals it considered. None of the proposals received the 60 votes necessary to become law in the Senate, largely due to the efforts of the Trump Administration to oppose all proposals except one that would eliminate much of family sponsorship and slash legal immigration in half.
A vote for a Dream Act law never occurred in the current House of Representatives. That will almost certainly change now that the Democrats will control the House in January. The new House of Representatives will likely pass a law offering a path to permanent residence for DACA holders. Then it will be up to the Senate to consider a bill already approved by the House.
More Information: