DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, introduced in 2012 by the Obama administration, temporarily shields undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children from deportation and grants work authorization based on specific criteria like continuous U.S. residence and no felony convictions. With over 650,000 beneficiaries nationwide, DACA empowers these young individuals to work and study without fear of deportation through a 2-year work permit.
DACA offers vital protection to young undocumented arrivals, but it’s not a comprehensive solution to broader immigration issues. Millions of undocumented immigrants, including their families, remain in the shadows. A more inclusive, compassionate immigration reform is needed to help families thrive and remain united, and provide a pathway to citizenship for all who call America home.
The DACA program has been under political attack since it was created in 2012. The program continues to face challenges in the courts that threaten the security it provides for DACA recipients. Below is a brief history of the program and the challenges it has faced over the past decade.
June 15, 2012 – DACA Introduced: The Obama administration announces the DACA program, providing temporary relief from deportation and work authorization for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children.
September 5, 2017 – DACA Rescinded: The Trump administration announces the termination of DACA, prompting legal challenges.
January 9, 2018 – Injunctions Issued: Multiple courts issue preliminary injunctions, temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA.
November 12, 2019 – Supreme Court Hearing: The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on DACA’s termination, with a decision pending.
June 18, 2020 – Supreme Court Decision: The Supreme Court rules against the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA, keeping the program in place.
July 28, 2020 – New DACA Memo: The Trump administration issues a new DACA memo, which limits the program, including reducing renewal validity to one year.
December 4, 2020 – Court Order Restores DACA: A federal court orders the full restoration of DACA, allowing first-time applicants, two-year renewals, and applications for advanced parole.
July 16, 2021: Judge Hanen from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas rules that DACA is unlawful. But the court allows people with DACA to continue to renew and blocks USCIS from processing first-time DACA requests.
September 2021: The Biden administration appeals the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
July 6, 2022: Oral argument take place at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for the case.
August 30, 2022: The Biden Administration publishes their final rule on DACA.
October 5, 2022: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals publishes a decision on the case, affirming the previous ruling that the program is unlawful and sends the case back down to the Texas District Court.
October 31, 2022: The Biden Administration’s DACA regulations go into effect.
June 1, 2023: Judge Hanen from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas hears oral arguments again for the DACA case, this time focusing on the Biden Administration’s DACA rule.
September 13, 2023: Judge Hanen rules DACA unlawful once again but keeps the program open for renewing applicants and closed for first time applicants.
For more resources please visit homeishere.us
DACA Update
September 13, 2023 – Judge Hanen of the Southern District of Texas ruled against DACA in the Texas v.s. United States DACA case, creating uncertainty for over 13,000 DACA recipients in Colorado alone. Judge Hanen previously ruled against the program back in 2021, halting new first-time DACA applications for tens of thousands of DACA eligible youth.
Hanen’s decision does not impact current DACA recipients or their ability to renew their DACA, nor does it change or expand eligibility until the Fifth Circuit issues a new decision. The ruling it is yet another reminder of the urgent need for Congress and the Biden Administration to act and create permanent protections for hard working immigrants and their families now!
Summary
- USCIS is only accepting DACA renewals for existing DACA recipients. New applications are not being accepted at this time. For help renewing your DACA, contact JD our Legal Service Manager at 720-282-9656.
- If you were previously granted deferred action under DACA you may request renewal for 2 years. Renewal forms:
- Applicants for renewal must pay the appropriate $495 fee or approved fee exemption request & file your DACA renewal at a USCIS designated location.
- Advanced parole applications are open! Apply today! For help contact JD our Legal Services Manager at 720-282-9656.
- Please consult a lawyer if you have any questions on any specific case.
- While we wait for future court rulings on DACA, we know it is not a permanent solution. We call on Congress and the Biden administration to pass a permanent solution to protect all immigrants in the US. We need a clean Path to Citizenship Now!
More resources:
- DACA in the Courts & Frequently Asked Questions – Informed Immigrant
- Frequently Asked Questions – National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
- Latest DACA Updates – Home is Here
Organizations that will help pay for your DACA fee
| Organization Name | Website |
| Mission Asset Fund | MAF DACA Application Fee |
| League of United Latin American Citizens | LULAC DACA Scholarship |
| United We Dream | United We Dream | email: info@unitedwedream.org |
| Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) | www.chirla.org | Contact CHIRLA at 1 – (888) 624-4752 |
| Crowdsourcing | Search YouCaring for DACA crowdfunds |
| DACA LOAN PROGRAMS | |
| Self-Help Federal Credit Union | DACA Loan Application |
| Fitzsimons Credit Union (Aurora, CO) | DACA Loan Application |
Resources for Higher Education:
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Updates: What you need to know!
- Sudan: TPS for Sudan is extended until January 4, 2021, however the future of the program is pending a federal court decision.
- Nicaragua: TPS for Nicaragua is extended until January 4, 2021, however the future of the program is pending a federal court decision.
- Nepal: TPS for Nepal is extended until January 4, 2021, however the future of the program is pending a federal court decision.
- Haiti: TPS for Haiti is extended until January 4, 2021, however the future of the program is pending a federal court decision.
- El Salvador: TPS for El Salvador is extended until January 4, 2021, however the future of the program is pending a federal court decision
- Honduras: TPS for Honduras is extended until January 4, 2021, however the future of the program is pending a federal court decision.
- South Sudan: TPS for South Sudan is extended until May 5, 2022.
- Syria: TPS for Syria is extended through March 21, 2021.
- Yemen: TPS for Yemen is extended through September 3, 2021.
- Somalia: TPS for Somalia is extended through September 17, 2021.
For more information and resources: BPS: We Dream Together or visit USCIS – TPS by Country