Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

What is DACA?

Executive order passed by the Obama administration in 2012, which offered temporary relief to eligible undocumented immigrants who came to the United States. This nationwide order protected those eligible from deportation and provided them with a work permit that was subject to renewal every two-years.

Get more information here.

What are the Requirements?

• You’re under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
• Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday.
• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time.
• Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS.
• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012.
• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Any Exemptions to Eligibility Requirements and Application Fee Requirements?

• If an individual who is younger than 15 years of age is in the process of removal, has an order of removal or a voluntary departure order, and is not presently in an immigration detention, then the individual may be exempt from the age requirement criteria
• If an individual is under the age of 18 and is homeless or makes less than 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level and is in foster care or otherwise lacks familial support, then the individual may file to receive a fee exemption
• If an individual is not economically independent due to a serious illness and an income amounting to less than 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level or has a debt totaling more than $10,000 due to medical expenses for the individual or an immediate family member and has an income amounting to less than 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level, then the individual may file to receive a fee exemption
• Guidance for an exemption from the fee visit

For more information on DACA visit: www.uscis.gov

Additional information: http://www.ncsl.org/research/immigration/deferred-action.aspx

For frequently asked questions about DACA visit:  www.uscis.gov/archive

Beyond DACA by Immigrants Rising

Immigrants rising created a webpage named Beyond DACA that includes multiple components to inform undocumented individuals of potential immigration remedies that can create a permanent pathway to citizenship.

1. Immigration Intake Service – Immigrants Rising’s Immigration Legal Intake Service is an online survey to help undocumented young people learn about possible immigration options. It is free, confidential, and anonymous. You would have to fill out this form with all of the information regarding your immigration background and then send it to them so they can reply with potential options that can help you adjust status. Some of these options may take long for one to adjust status, however, this could be a start and when one meets with a lawyer they can provide these options to them to help you along with your immigration case.  
2. Beyond DACA Guidebook –  This guidebook was created to inform young undocumented people about the most popular avenues that are being taken to adjust one’s status. The guidebook can be found through the following page: Immigration Options every Undocumented Person Should Know.