DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
DACA – Deferred Action is a protection from deportation that gives you an employment authorization card for 2 years. Its program was created to protect eligible young adults who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation and to provide them with work authorization for temporary, renewable periods.
DACA recipients must meet certain criteria, such as arriving in the U.S. before the age of 16, having continuously resided in the country since 2007, and being currently enrolled in school, among other requirements. The significance of cross border DACA is evident when considering the real-life stories of those impacted by the program.
While individuals with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status can be authorized to work in the United States, they face limitations when it comes to accessing many federal programs. DACA recipients are prohibited from receiving federal benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and federal student aid.
You qualify DACA – Deferred Action if:
- Have at least 15 years
- You were under 31 years old on June 15, 2012
- You entered the United States before your 16th birthday
- You were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012 and when you filed for DACA
- You entered without inspection or your non-immigrant status expired on June 15, 2012
- You are enrolled in school, graduated from high school, or received a General Education Degree (GED)
- You have not been sentenced to certain crimes
Currently, only DACA renewals can be filed. On September 5, 2017, President Trump revoked DACA and some federal courts ruled against President Trump. The Courts allow applicants to file DACA – Deferred Action renewals.
DACA Updates
In October 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the legality of DACA. The Supreme Court will have a decision in early 2020. However, you can still file for renewals.
