First New DACA Applications Accepted!
According to US News & World Report, DACA applications have been accepted for the first time in several years. “Over 170 new applicants have become the first individuals in several years to win approval to the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for immigrants brought to the U.S. as young people, the U.S. government revealed in a court filing Monday.” According to a report submitted by the Department of Homeland Security to Brooklyn federal court, 171 new applications were approved from Nov. 14 through the end of 2020, 121 applications were denied and another 369 were rejected. In all, 2,713 initial applications were submitted.
This exciting news comes just weeks after a New York federal judge ruled the Trump administration to fully restore DACA. At that time the four main changes in effect (as of December 7, 2020) were as follows:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must begin to accept initial DACA applications.
USCIS must begin to process advance parole requests once again.
USCIS must extend any one-year permit issued back to the regular two-year period.
USCIS must continue to process DACA renewals for the original two-year period.
We reported this news to you all via our blog in December, and the reaction was enthusiastic! And now these new accepted applications are a ray of hope for DACA applicants everywhere.
DACA APPLICATIONS
Are you an attorney interested in assisting DACA applicants? Fill out our form to get started!
What is DACA?
"The administration of President Barack Obama started DACA in 2012, letting certain immigrants brought to the country unlawfully as children to work and be exempt from deportation. However, it did not confer legal status on recipients. DACA shields about 650,000 people from deportation and makes them eligible for work permits.” - US News & World Report, Jan. 4, 2021
Our team is excited to once again begin helping first-time, low income, eligible candidates fill out their initial DACA application, while continuing to assist current recipients with permit renewals. First-time applicants who meet the eligibility criteria should:
Call the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center at 505-247-1023.
Answer a few brief eligibility questions.
If you meet the eligibility requirements we will schedule a phone screening with one of our legal reps.
