Amidst the 11th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, immigrants and advocates alike continue to push for the protection of Dreamers with the future of the program still uncertain.
President Biden and Vice President Harris have recently spoken out, urging Congress to use immigration reform to re-open this program to new applicants after years of legal battles.
Overview of DACA
Signed in 2012, the DACA program protects undocumented immigrants who arrived at an early age, granting eligible individuals the ability to work legally in the United States and enjoy protection from deportation for a two-year term.
Recent Legal Issues Surrounding the Program
The DACA program has faced a slew of challenges in the past six years. In 2017, the Trump administration attempted to terminate the program, an action which was blocked by the Supreme Court in 2020, which ruled the recission of the program was not properly conducted.
In 2021, a federal judge blocked the extension of the program to new enrollees. While previously enrolled Dreamers have been permitted to remain under the program and renew their status, over 400,000 eligible recipients have been shut out in the past two years.
Last year, the DHS issued a final rule to preserve and fortify the DACA program. The ruling, which went into effect on October 31, 2022, provided limited clarity and maintained that current recipients were the only ones eligible. Changes to the program now require legislative action.
DACA Attorneys
The pause on granting DACA to new applicants is disheartening and problematic for many young immigrants seeking to remain in the country they have grown to feel at home in. While there is potential hope for Congressional action to change this, it is advisable that young migrants seek alternative immigration paths in the meantime.
Reeves Immigration Law Group is dedicated to obtaining positive results for clients in the most difficult of circumstances. Our well-versed and experienced team of DACA attorneys will advocate relentlessly for the needs of individuals and families.
To discuss your current DACA status or alternative methods of immigration, fill out our contact form today.
