The fate of the DACA program is in legal limbo. DACA, a program which grants undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children permission to live and work lawfully, has been winding its way through the court system since the Trump administration ordered it terminated. Last fall, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case and a decision is coming in 2020.
What does it mean that DACA is at the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court is the last stop for any case in the legal system. The Court is the highest in the nation and will determine whether DACA will continue. No one knows how the Court will rule. No one knows when a decision will be issued, but the Court releases decisions every week through the end of their term in June 2020. A decision is expected in late spring or early summer.
What can DACA recipients do now?
RENEW! RENEW! RENEW! It is important that any DACA recipient whose DACA has expired or will expire in 2020, and is otherwise eligible, renew as soon as possible.
Who can renew?
- Anyone who has DACA now;
- Anyone whose DACA is expired; and
- Anyone whose DACA has been terminated.
Note: No initial DACA applications are being accepted—if you never had DACA in the past you cannot apply now. Also, it is no longer possible to apply for a travel permit through Advance Parole.
Get a legal consultation. All DACA recipients should speak to a trusted immigration service provider to explore their legal options. They might be eligible for another form of relief that can lead to a permanent status and not know it. Even if you were told previously that you had no other legal option, you may want to get another consultation to see if your situation or the law has changed since you last spoke with a legal service provider.
DACA recipients can search for legal representatives in their area by visiting the National Immigration Legal Services Directory: http://bit.ly/ianimmhelp
Stay informed and participate! Community members and DACA recipients should follow developments and get involved in efforts to support immigrant rights. Visit the ILRC (https://ilrc.org), and partner sites like United We Dream (https://unitedwedream.org), and the National Immigration Law Center (https://nilc.org/issues/daca), to get up to date information.
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