What Is DACA? What You Need to Know

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, implemented by the Obama administration in 2012, aimed to shield individuals who migrated to the U.S. as children from deportation and provide them with authorization for legal employment.

As of 2023, approximately 580,000 active beneficiaries reside in the U.S. For those with inquiries about their rights and future in the U.S., a DACA immigration attorney at Bassey Immigration Law Center can offer guidance in this evolving legal landscape.

DACA Eligibility:

1. Must be under 31 years old on June 15th, 2012, and physically present in the U.S. on that date.
2. Arrival in the U.S. before the 16th birthday is required.
3. Continuous U.S. residence since June 15th, 2007.
4. High school graduation, GED attainment, or current school enrollment.
5. No felony convictions, certain aggravated misdemeanors, or three misdemeanors.

Benefits:

1. Protection from deportation: Status ensures U.S. residence, contingent on compliance with laws. Criminal convictions may result in revocation and potential deportation.
2. Work authorization: Status permits obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for employment with U.S. employers. Discrimination protections apply.
3. Renewal every two years is crucial to maintaining protection and preventing complications in living and working in the U.S., including potential deportation.

Limitations:

1. No direct path to green card or citizenship: Status does not provide a route to citizenship or permanent resident status; traditional immigration channels are necessary.
2. Limited access to federal aid programs: Generally, recipients are ineligible for specific federal benefits, including Social Security, food stamps, and certain higher education financial aid programs.

Legal Landscape:

The Trump administration attempted to end protections under the initiative, and ongoing legal challenges at both federal and state levels create uncertainty for recipients.

For current beneficiaries or those pursuing status, legal guidance from an immigration lawyer in FL can help understand applicable laws and implications.