NAICU Washington Update

Trump Administration: DACA Program to Continue For Now

June 20, 2017

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program established during the Obama Administration will remain in place for the time being. This announcement effectively protects DACA individuals from deportation or loss of work permits.

The clarification on the DACA program stems from DHS announcing that it was rescinding the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) policy (see here for a Q&A explaining the implications of the decision).

Individuals registered under DACA have the opportunity to obtain work permits, and generally be protected from deportation unless there are safety or criminal concerns.  The program requires renewed registration every two years.

This action is a reversal of President Trump’s initial intention to eliminate the DACA program, which he spoke of frequently during the campaign, but has backed away from since taking office. While this is welcome news, it does not represent an official, permanent executive decision and could change. 

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