DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Important DACA message for 2024.

On June 2012, the Department of Homeland Security formally announced an initiative that allows young people who were brought to the United States as children, who do not present a risk to the national security or public safety, to be considered for deferred action and work authorization.

How to know if you qualify:

  • You came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday.
  • You have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time.
  • You were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
  • You entered without inspection before June 15, 2012 or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012.
  • You have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, and do not otherwise pose a threat.
  • You are currently in school, have graduated or obtained your certificate from high school, have obtained an honorably discharged  veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed forces of the United States.
  • You were present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS.

Current Status of DACA 

As of May 3, 2024, first-time DACA applications continue to be blocked and cannot be processed as a result of a court order by a federal judge in the Southern District of Texas. However, individuals who have DACA (as of July 16, 2021), or whose DACA has lapsed for less than one year, can continue to apply for renewal of their DACA. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recommends that you
submit your completed DACA renewal application at least 150 days (5 months) but no later than 120 days (4 months), before your current DACA and work permit expire.

To help you figure out which specific dates are 150 and 120 days before your DACA expires, use NILC’s DACA Renewal Calculator, www.nilc.org/dacarenewalcalculator/ 

For more information please visit National Immigration Law Center & U.S.CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES
 

Additional Resources
ICE Enforcement and Sensitive Locations  External Site Link This websites describes ICE policies for sensitive locations. Este sitio web describe las pólizas de ICE para ubicaciones sensibles.

Consideration of DACA External Site Link - Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about the DACA process.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services External Site Link - This site is run by the Department of Homeland Security. Here you can access all the required forms to apply for DACA, as well as a description, guidelines and eligibility criteria.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project External Site Link - Resources, workshops, community presentations, and legal clinics specifically targeted towards those interested in learning more about DACA.