DACA UPDATES
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a memo with a few DACA updates on December 7th. The official memo can be found through this link. On November 14, 2020, Judge Nicholas George Garaufis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York issued an opinion regarding the July 28, 2020 memorandum signed by Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf. On December 4, 2020, Judge Garaufis required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take certain actions to implement his November 14 opinion.
As a result, effective December 7, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is:
- 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.
- Information about DACA and the guidelines to apply for the first time can be found on the following link.
- Please note: USCIS has not updated this website with the December 7th memo, indicating that initial DACA applications are being accepted, but initial DACA applications are being accepted.
- On Dec. 22, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Houston is scheduled to hold a hearing on the legality of DACA in a case brought by the state of Texas. This could be ruled for or against DACA and can impact applications. Here is an article to learn more.
RESOURCES
- World Relief of Southern California – 13121 Brookhurst St. #G Garden Grove, CA 92843 – 714-210-4730
- Catholic Charities of Orange County: 1800 East 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705 – 714-347-9664
- Public Law Center – 601 W Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, CA 92705 – 714-541-1010
- UWD 3-Part Webinar Series that shares step by step how to fill out the DACA application for initial applicants. Here is the link to RSVP.
- UWD DACA Eligibility Check List and information on documents to collect for initial applicants.
- United We Dream Compiled of list of Non-Profits helping with DACA. There is a section on CA. Here is the link.
- Tips to find a lawyer
Other Resources:
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center – Guide for Initial DACA Applicants
- OPEN TO ALL CA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS AND STAFF. The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) is offering FREE Remote Immigration Legal Consultations for College Students and Staff. They have appointments available for mid-December. BOOK an appointment ASAP before they get booked.
- Through Cypress College, Fullerton College Students have access to legal consultations at CHIRLA. They had appointments available in January. Book an appointment here.
- California Community Colleges Immigration Legal Service Providers List.CHIRLA is offering legal services for consultations offered at no cost every Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday from 8am-10am: 213-201-3797.
- CHIRPA Immigration Legal Services.
- Camino Immigration Services in Fullerton. Call or email: 657-217-2365 help@caminoimmigration.org
DISCLAIMER
The Grads to Be Program staff at Fullerton College are committed to supporting undocumented students and have a passion for social justice. We hope that the information provided by our team will give you a better understanding about certain policies and how they affect undocumented students and their families. However, this information is intended for informational purposes only and should NOT substitute legal advice from a licensed attorney.
We have compiled information from different legal sources, however we encourage you to seek legal advice for your own case as each situation requires analysis from multiple perspectives.
Although we try to be as timely and accurate as possible, immigration laws are constantly evolving. A licensed attorney can determine if there have been any recent changes to immigration policies or laws that may affect you.
The Grads to Be Program assumes no liability for the use or interpretation of information contained herein. The information is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Lastly, please be aware that the Grads to Be Program nor the use of legal information provided by the program creates an attorney-client relationship.