Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a form of administrative relief from deportation. People who are eligible for DACA protections are called DREAMers. In a brief summary, the purpose of DACA is to give temporary deportation protections to eligible youth who came to the United States when they were children, whether they entered the country alone or with a family member.
From the beginning of the Trump Administration, DACA has been highly scrutinized and at risk of being dismantled entirely. However, as of December 7th, 2020, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be accepting new DACA applications for qualifying applicants after a federal judge ruled to protect the specialized immigration program from erasure.
If you are a DREAMer in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., or North carolina, and you are worried about your status, please call (410) 995-1515 and speak with the DACA lawyers of Portner & Shure, P.A. We can provide the most up-to-date information about DACA and how to use it to our advantage. Contact an experienced attorney from our firm now.
What Does DACA Do?
DACA allows eligible applicants to request a renewable two-year window of deferred action from deportation, as well as a work permit that is valid during that time. Essentially, DACA aims to keep families together by preventing deportations while also improving the American economy by allowing more people to work legal, taxable jobs. If someone is an approved DREAMer, then they will not run the risk for deportation for two years, will be able to work for those two years, and will be able to file to have these benefits reinstated when they near or reach expiration.
What are DACA Requirements?
You may request DACA benefits if you:
- Were under the age of 31 as of June 15th, 2012;
- Came to the U.S. prior to your 16th birthday;
- Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15th, 2007;
- Had no lawful status on July 15th, 2012;
- Were physically present in the United States on June 15th, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
- Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
- Have not been convicted of a felony offense, significant misdemeanor, or more than three other misdemeanors; and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Can You Apply for DACA?
If you have DACA benefits now, you can renew them. However, if you have never had DACA benefits, it is important that you speak with an experienced DACA attorney to determine your eligibility. To file your application correctly, working with a legal professional is highly recommended.
Our Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and North Carolina DACA attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. would be happy to advocate on your behalf, just as we have for Dreamers and other immigration clients throughout the last 30 years.
