Last week, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. As a result, around 700,000 Dreamers protected by the program can be saved from deportation.
This decision is a victory in the fight for immigrants’ rights and benefits. The Trump administration has always used immigration as a bargaining chip in its campaign, and the Supreme Court’s decision on DACA has brought a sense of relief for countless families throughout the nation.
What Is DACA?
The DACA program protects individuals who have accumulated unlawful presence in the United States because they were brought into the country as children.
Individuals may apply for this protection from deportation if they:
- Were younger than 31 years old on June 15, 2012;
- Arrived in the U.S. before they became 16;
- Have lived continuously in the U.S. since June 15, 2007;
- Were physically present in the U.S. without lawful status on June 15, 2012; and
- Were physically present in the U.S. when they applied for DACA protection.
Additionally, a prospective Dreamer must:
- Be currently in school;
- Have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school;
- Have earned a general education development (GED) certificate; OR
- Have been honorably discharged by the U.S. Coast Guard or Armed Forces.
An individual may be ineligible for this protection if they were convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or several other misdemeanors.
Benefits of DACA
DACA status is valid for two years, but a Dreamer can renew their status if they meet certain conditions. A DACA recipient can obtain a work permit and Social Security number, as well as a green card by marrying a U.S. citizen and filing an adjustment of status application.
Get in Touch with Us for More Info & Support
If you meet the above application requirements, or if you need to renew or change your status, please do not hesitate to contact our team at The Law Office of Yifei He, PLLC. We understand how stressful it can be when your future in the U.S. depends on ever-changing immigration policies, and we want to be your trusted guides as you embark on your journey toward lawful permanent residence and/or citizenship.
Call 1 (917) 338-7678 or contact us online to learn more about DACA, your rights as an immigrant, and what our dedicated team can do for your future.