Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration option for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16. Although DACA does not provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence, it does provide temporary protection from deportation, work authorization, and the ability to apply for a social security number.

As a supporter of immigrant youth, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has long advocated for policies to benefit the undocumented community. Through this work, the ILRC developed the only comprehensive manual on the topic, DACA: The Essential Legal Guide. We conduct trainings and provide technical support to immigration practitioners assisting individuals in the application process, and advocate at the federal level for a broadly inclusive DACA program.

Latest in DACA

resources.png

DACA Update (August 2018)

08/31/2018
DACA
The purpose of this advisory is to provide service providers with an update on the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and how to counsel clients now. In it we include information on the current status of the DACA program, what to tell clients, factors to consider in deciding when and if to renew DACA, and ideas for what people should do now if they have never had...
resources.png

Immigration Options for Undocumented Immigrant Children

08/31/2018
Asylum
DACA
Family-Based
Immigrant Youth
LGBT
Removal Defense
U Visa/T Visa/VAWA
This resource is a collection of one-page fact sheets on various forms of immigration relief meant to provide a brief overview of options that may exist for undocumented immigrant children. While geared towards children and youth, it may also be helpful as an introduction to some of the immigration options available to adults as well. This is not meant to be an exhaustive resource. We recommend...
ilrc-living_in_limbo-20180720.png

Living in Limbo: A Guide to Understanding Your Rights, Benefits, and Obligations When You Have No Immigration Status

07/20/2018
Citizenship and Naturalization
DACA
Enforcement
Family-Based
Immigrant Youth
Removal Defense
Policy Advocacy
Every year, millions of people wait for Congress to advance a solution that would provide stability for undocumented persons and their families. The numbers left waiting and worrying without a pathway to citizenship, protection from deportation, or the ability to work under the Trump Administration has only increased with the limitations on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)...
resources.png

Protecting Information in DACA Applications Under the Trump Administration

07/13/2018
DACA
(Updated resource; originally posted 05/31/2018) When President Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012, the government assured applicants that it would not use information included in DACA applications to deport applicants or their families unless an exception applied. Relying on the government’s promise, nearly 800,000 young people have applied for and...

More DACA