What is DACA?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

It protect children brought to the US unlawfully from deportation

The program DOES NOT grant legal status OR a pathway to citizenship

The program DOES allow recipients to apply for a driver's license, social security number and work permits

Recipients must apply for DACA renewal annually

Entered the United States unlawfully prior to their 16th birthday

Have lived continuously in the United States since June 15, 2007

Were under age 31 on June 15, 2012 (born on June 16, 1981 or after)

Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request for consideration of deferred action with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012

Have completed high school or a GED, have been honorably discharged from the armed forces, or are enrolled in school

Have not been convicted of a felony or a serious misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

A reduction in the length of time the program ran, from two years to one

All renewals had to be within 150 to 120 days before the existing application expired

The rejection of all new DACA applications

All requests by DACA recipients for travel outside of the United States were denied except in cases where “exceptional circumstances” were established. Under the original program, DACA recipients could travel outside the United States for humanitarian reasons, education and employment with a valid travel document

In November 2020, a federal judge in New York ruled that Chad Wolf, the acting head of the DHS, did not have the authority to make changes to the DACA program, and those rules were therefore invalid.

1.7 million people are eligible for the program

As of March 2020, only 800,000 people were enrolled in the program

A study in 2014 found that 74% of DACA recipients came from Mexico and Central America

The next largest groups come from the Caribbean, South America and Asia

DACA allows recipients to work; as a result, they contribute over $5.6 billion annually to federal taxes as well as $3.1 billion in state and local taxes

DACA allows recipients to get higher education which gives them better job opportunities, pursue higher level careers and live in better conditions then whey they arrived in the US.

DACA recipients make up more than 25% of the front line workers responding to the COVID crisis.