DACA Student Program


UPDATES 

08.16.2023

Back in October 2022, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the 2012 memo that established the DACA program was unlawful. This news came out after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule in August 2022 to protect the DACA program. 

So what happens next with DACA? The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case to a Texas District Judge and ordered the judge to review the new DHS final DACA rule. 

You may be asking yourself, how does this affect me? 

  1. If you are already enrolled in the DACA program, you are still allowed to renew. 

  2. If you are not already enrolled in the DACA program, applications are still prohibited from being adjudicated (This includes applications from folks whose DACA expired for more than one year). 

* Moreover, the most recent final rule published by the DHS does not change the rules regarding who is eligible for the program * 

That being said, if you are our client and would like to renew your DACA, please set an appointment with me about 5-6 months before your DACA expires! Reminder that if you let your DACA expire for more than a year after its expiration date, you will fall out of the program. 

7.16.2021 JUDGE RULED PAUSING ALL INITIAL DACA APPLICATIONS

On July 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas held that the DACA policy “is illegal” and issued a permanent injunction. However, the court temporarily stayed its order vacating DACA and its injunction for individuals who obtained DACA on or before July 16, 2021, including those with renewal requests.

This means that:

  • USCIS is still accepting and process renewal applications and Advance Parole applications for those who already have DACA, and

  • USCIS will still accept but not process initial applications for DACA, so any initial applications sent since 12.07.2021 are on hold and any biometrics appointments scheduled are cancelled. Initial applications include anyone who filed an initial application due to a lapse in over a year since their previous DACA expiration date. CALA is not currently filing any initial DACA applications until further guidance from DHS.

3.17.2021 new daca applicants

USCIS is now accepting first time applicants for DACA. Right now CALA is only making appointments for siblings/parents/children of current clients. You may be eligible if you meet the following requirements:

  1. You entered the United States before June 15th, 2007

  2. You were 15 years or younger when you entered the United States

  3. You are currently in school (or a GED class), you already graduated high school, or have a GED, or are in a vocational or ESL program

  4. You do NOT have any serious criminal problems

  5. You were 30 years or younger on June 15th, 2012

If you believe you are eligible for DACA and are a sibling/parent/child of a current client at our office, call us at 718-486-6800 to begin the process.

12.07.2020 TRUMP MEMO Limiting daca vacated

The Trump Memo that limited DACA to not accept new applicants, limit work permits/DACA to one year, and reject Advance Parole has been ordered unlawful.

DHS will now do the following:

  • Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;

  • Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;

  • Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA policy prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;

  • Extending one-year grants of deferred action under DACA to two years; and

  • Extending one-year employment authorization documents under DACA to two years.

(Link: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/12/07/update-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals)

07.28.2020 TRUMP memo limiting daca

The Trump Administration issued a memo indicating that Immigration will:

  • not accept new DACA applicants,

  • limit DACA renewals from two years to now be issued for one year, AND

  • reject Advanced Parole applications for DACA, except for “exceptional circumstances” (it’s unclear what “exceptional circumstances are…)

www.dhs.gov/news/2020/07/28/department-homeland-security-will-reject-initial-requests-daca-it-weighs-future#

06.18.2020 - SUPREME COURT DECIdes DACA is here to stay

The Supreme Court decided that the Trump Administration’s attempt to end DACA violated federal law.

Here’s what we know so far:

  • DACA renewal applications are still being accepted by immigration. Call or email Ana to make an appointment to renew (718.486.6800 or aortiz@centrallegal.org).

  • Immigration has not indicated that they will accept first-time DACA applicants and advance parole applications. Although the decision indicates that these things should happen, we do not know whether the Trump administration will take action to try to limit these options. We will update this page as soon as things change

REAL ID

DACA recipients are eligible to receive temporary REAL IDs from their respective state’s DMV. Make sure you gather all the documents listed on your state’s DMV Real ID website "Document checklist" and go through the steps on their online portal.

Department of Homeland Security FAQs

New york state dream act scholarships and grants

DACA Recipients:

If interested in pursuing higher education at New York State institution, see if you qualify for grants and scholarships via the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act. Read more at the link below.

https://www.hesc.ny.gov/dream/#WIS

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is now available for DACA Recipients through the New York State DREAM Act. TAP helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Read more at the link below.

https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap.html#horizontalTab2

The CUNY BECAS Scholarship Program 2019 is awarded to for current or prospective CUNY students WITHOUT consideration of immigration status.

"...recipients will work...to advance the Mexican and/or immigrant community. Criteria for selection are academic excellence, financial need, and commitment to service in the immigrant and/or Mexican community in New York, without consideration of immigration status."

See the website for more information:

http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/cuny-mexican-st…/scholarships.php

07.02.19 Supreme Court will decide on DACA in its upcoming session (October 2019 - June/July 2020).

Renew your DACA 5 months before it expires. DO NOT DELAY. Call the office to make an appointment to renew. If you have friends or family members who are US Citizens - ask them to call their Congressional representative and demand the passage of the DREAM Act!

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/us/politics/supreme-court-daca-dreamers.html

04.24.18 Judge rules daca is #heretostay

A federal judge has ruled that the Government must continue to accept DACA renewals AND accept first-time applications. This will take effect in 90 days (July).  

01.16.18 USCIS will accept daca renewals!

If your DACA expires before 09.01.2018 call the office to make an appointment!

01.10.18 A JUDGE HAS RULED IN FAVOR OF DACA

A Californian Judge has ruled temporarily that DACA can continue, in spite of Trump's announcement last year to end the program. The government has already announced its intention to appeal this decision. We will post here when we have more specific information about if/when/how we can mail renewals. Read more here

TRUMP HAS ENDED THE DACA PROGRAM

- You must renew your work permit if it expires before March 5, 2018. You must make an appointment before October 5, 2017. Please call the office 718.486.6800. If it expires after March 5, 2018, you cannot renew your DACA.

- If you have already renewed, or renew before October 5, 2017, your work permit is valid until the expiration date on the card. 

- You CANNOT apply for advance parole anymore. 

- No NEW DACA applications will be accepted by immigration.

- We will have a meeting Monday, September 18th at 6pm in Transfiguration Church. 

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/09/05/frequently-asked-questions-rescission-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca

Lista De Requisitos/List Of Requirements

Obama y los Jovenes/Youth (DACA): Please view the requirements forms below and print out. Gather all the necessary proofs and complete the section requiring all the addresses you have had in the USA. When you have this form completed, CALL US FOR AN APPOINTMENT!/Oprima la lista de requisitos abajo e imprimela. Obtenga todas las pruebas necesarias y llena la seccion que requiere todas sus direcciones en los EEUU.Cuando tiene todo completo, LLAMENOS PARA UNA CITA!!!

President Obama  announced a special program for some youth that have attended school. You may be eligible if you meet the following requirements*:

  1. You entered the United States before June 15th, 2007

  2. You were 15 years or younger when you entered the United States

  3. You are currently in school (or a GED class), you already graduated high school, or have a GED, or are in a vocational or ESL program

  4. You do NOT have any serious criminal problems

  5. You were 30 years or younger on June 15th, 2012

To request protection under Obama’s program, you need to bring the following:

  1. Your birth certificate and/or passport

  2. School records – especially from 2007 (proof of high school diploma and/or proof that you are registered in a GED program or in university)

  3. Proof of where you have lived since 2007 until now (anything with your name, address, and date)

  4. In addition to proof, complete the below section with all addresses lived at since your arrival

  5. Vaccination cards and anything that can prove you entered the country before June 15th, 2007

  6. All certificates of disposition for any contact with the police. You can get these at the court where you had your case.

  7. A money order for $495 – this includes the fee for the application and fingerprints. Talk to us about how we can help you pay the fee.

  8. 2 passport style photos


Presidente Obama ha anunciado un programa especial para algunos jóvenes que han asistido a la escuela. Usted puede ser eligible si cumple con los siguientes requisitos:

  1. Entró a los EEUU antes del 15 de junio de 2007

  2. Cuando entró, tenía 15 años de edad o menos

  3. Esta en la escuela (o en una clase de GED) actualmente, ya se graduó, o ya tiene un GED

  4. NO tiene ningún arresto o problema criminal grave

  5. Tenía 30 años de edad o menos a partir del 15 de junio de 2012

Para pedir protección abajo del programa de Obama, se necesita que traer lo siguiente*:

  1. Su acta de nacimiento y/o su pasaport

  2. Records de la escuela – especialmente del 2007 (prueba de diploma de high school y/o prueba que esta registrado en el programa GED o en la universidad)

  3. Prueba de donde ha vivido desde junio del 2007 hasta ahora (cualquiera cosa con su nombre, dirección, y fecha)

  4. Ademas, llene la sección abajo con todas sus direcciones desde su entrada a los EEUU

  5. Tarjetas de vacunas y cualquiera cosa que puede probar que entró antes del 15 de junio de 2007

  6. Todos los certificados de disposición de cualquier contacto con la policía. Consigue estos en la corte donde tenía el caso

  7. Un money orden de $495 – este incluye el valor de la aplicación y las huellas digitales. Hable con nosotros sobre como podemos ayudarle a pagar el precio.

  8. 2 fotos estilo pasaporte

El programa le permitirá obtener un permiso de trabajo y tendrá una duración de tres años. Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar después de eso. Este programa se requiere de gente experta en inmigración, no es recomendable que usted lo haga por su propia cuenta y mucho menos con notarios.

*On November 20, 2014 President Obama announced important changes to the DACA requirements. These changes to the program are NOT in effect. Please call the office if you have questions. El 20 de noviembre del 2014, el presidente Obama anuncio cambios importantes en los requisitos de DACA (el Programa Obama). Estos cambios no están en efecto. Por favor llame a la oficina si tiene preguntas.