The American immigration system can be overwhelming for even those who have regular exposure to the ins and outs of how that system works. There many different avenues by which a person could be considered a legal resident, have some kind of visa or, in the worst-case scenarios, face a removal proceeding, for example. On top of that already complex situation, legal and regulatory changes are quite frequent.
One aspect of immigration that has gone through changes in recent years is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
DACA overview
The idea behind DACA is relatively straightforward: Individuals who came to America as young children through a method that did not follow traditional legal paths may have any adverse removal proceedings deferred for a period of time – allowing them to remain in America – as long as they apply for the program and renew their applications on a regular basis. To be eligible, they must meet a variety of requirements.
That period of time can continue to be renewed, as long as the requirements continue to be met.
In essence, the requirements deal with factors such as: the age of the DACA applicant; the immigration status of the applicant; the education status of the applicant; and the criminal record – or lack thereof – of the applicant.
Since the program was introduced in 2012, it has gone through many court challenges. Because of one of these challenges, the federal government is currently unable to register new applicants for DACA, but those who are already enrolled in the program can continue to enjoy its protections.
If you are interested in learning more about DACA and whether or not you or a family member might benefit from the program, be sure to get the most up-to-date information in the ever-changing American immigration law landscape.
