DACA News From Catholic Migration Services
Recent Changes to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
January 15, 2018
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
Due to a federal court order issued on January 9, 2018, USCIS has resumed accepting renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Until further notice, individuals previously granted DACA may request a renewal of their status and employment authorization. USCIS is not accepting applications from those who have never before received DACA.
What this announcement means:
If you previously received DACA and your DACA expired on or after September 5, 2016, you may file a renewal request. Renewal requests can be made up to 180 days (6 months) before your work permit expires.
If your DACA expired before September 5, 2016, or it was terminated at any time, you may file a new initial request now. However, if you have never received DACA in the past, you are not allowed to file an initial application at this time.
Travel with DACA:
It is no longer possible to submit an application for Advance Parole (permission to re-enter the United States granted in advance of travel abroad) as a DACA recipient.
Expiration of DACA and Enforcement:
According to DHS, as of now, “information provided in DACA requests will not be proactively provided to other law enforcement entities (including ICE and CBP) for the purpose of immigration enforcement proceedings unless the request or poses a risk to national security or public safety, or meets the criteria for the issuance of a Notice To Appear or a referral to ICE under the criteria.” However, this policy may change at a later time.
Catholic Migration Services urges anyone who currently receives DACA to call our office and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Please visit our website periodically at www.catholicmigration.org for information pertaining to DACA assistance.
DACA Fact Sheets Released by Catholic Migration Services
Catholic Migration Services is deeply troubled and saddened by the Trump administration’s lack of commitment to immigrant youth. On September 5th 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration was rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). DACA was a program put in place by President Obama to protect young people from deportation if they had been brought to the U.S. as children, and to enable them to lawfully work. An estimated 800,000 children and young adults across the country applied for, and were granted DACA status. These DACA recipients have been able to finish school and obtain jobs, contribute to our economy and communities, and live without the constant fear of deportation.
For more information on the government’s termination of the DACA program and what it means to current DACA recipients, see our fact sheets in English and Spanish. For advice or assistance with DACA renewal applications, please call us at (718) 236-3000 (Brooklyn) or (347) 472-3500 (Queens).