Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
In June 2020, the Supreme Court issued a decision on DACA. Please click here for more information
Mayor Lightfoot's statement on DACA. (In pdf format)
To review Mayor Lightfoot's statement in other languages please visit this link.
In 2012, the Obama administration announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals plan for undocumented immigrants that met specified conditions in order to request temporary protection from deportation. An approved individual is eligible to receive employment authorization for the period of deferred action, provided he or she can demonstrate “an economic necessity for employment.”
Due to ongoing federal litigation, only those that applied and obtained DACA at the onset of this program can continue to renew. If someone never filed previously, even if they were eligible, they cannot file now. If their DACA is expired, they may still be able to file for a renewal.
If you are seeking immigration assistance, learn more about the rules and regulations governing immigration assistance providers.
Eligibility
Below is the original requirements for DACA. Please seek legal assistance before submitting a new DACA petition.
To be eligible for DACA, you must demonstrate that you:
- Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
- Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
- Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
- Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
- Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
- Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (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, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Click here for more information and to access the required application forms.