What is DACA?
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a deferred action policy implemented by the Obama administration in June 2012. It is aimed at protecting qualifying young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, temporarily shielding them from deportation and providing them work authorization with possible renewal every two years. DACA protections can be revoked by DHS and DACA recipients continue to lack legal status and a pathway to citizenship.
Who are Dreamers?
A Dreamer is an undocumented immigrant who came to the United States as a child. Dreamers often have only known the U.S. as home and identify as Americans. There are as many as 3.6 million Dreamers residing in the United States, many of whom either did not apply for DACA or aged into the program after it stopped accepting new applicants. Only a minority of the total Dreamer population – approximately 530,000 Dreamers – are currently protected under DACA. Even at the height of participation, only about 800,000 Dreamers were protected.
DACA recipients came to the United States from all over the world, representing almost approximately 100 different birth countries, but approximately 80% of them were born in Mexico. The states with the largest DACA populations are California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Florida.
The average DACA recipient arrived in the United States at age 7 and has lived here for more than 20 years. Because DACA required children to have arrived in the U.S. five years before its 2012 implementation (June 2007), younger Dreamers are not eligible for DACA. As the DACA recipient population has aged, a growing number have become parents. Currently, DACA recipients are parents to more than 250,000 U.S. citizen children.
Is DACA still in place?
Yes, but its days may be numbered.
The Trump administration announced on September 5, 2017 that it was ending DACA, a decision that was subsequently enjoined in the courts. Under a series of court decisions, Dreamers already covered under DACA were able to maintain their temporary protections and continue to apply to renew their DACA protections for additional two-year terms. New applicants have been largely unable to obtain protections since 2017.
The Supreme Court announced on June 28, 2019 that it would consider whether the Trump administration’s rescission of DACA was lawful. In a 5-4 opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts determined that the Trump administration failed to provide a reasoned explanation for ending DACA, invalidating the rescission. However, the court’s decision permits the administration to make another attempt to end the protections for Dreamers if it uses proper administrative procedures, including a well-reasoned explanation for its actions.
Today, litigation around DACA continues. On September 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled against DACA, holding that the program was unlawful. The ruling rests on grounds similar to an earlier decision in October 2022 from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen held that the Biden administration’s 2022 final rule on DACA was not materially different from the 2012 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memorandum establishing DACA and is therefore unlawful.
Consistent with previous decisions, Judge Hanen continued to stay (pause) the injunction and order vacating DACA rules for current DACA recipients. Current DACA recipients can continue to work legally in the U.S., be protected from deportation, and renew their status, at least temporarily, as litigation over the DACA policy continues. The Biden administration appealed Hanen’s decision to the Fifth Circuit and, eventually, the case may end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. Click here for more information.
What are the requirements of DACA?
To be eligible for DACA, qualifying young undocumented individuals are required to demonstrate the following:
- that they came to the U.S. before age 16;
- that they have resided here continuously since June 15, 2007;
- that they do not currently have legal immigration status;
- that they were present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012;
- that they were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012;
- that they are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a GED certificate, or that they have been honorably discharged from the military;
- that they have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
When USCIS was accepting new applicants for DACA, applicants were required to be at least 15 years of age and were required to pay an unwaivable application fee (originally $465, subsequently increased to $555, if renewed online, and $605 if renewed via mail).
What are the requirements to renew DACA?
To renew DACA, recipients must show (1) that they have continuously resided in the United States since submitting their most recently approved DACA request; (2) that they have not departed the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, without advance parole; and (3) that they have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. (4) In addition, applicants for DACA renewal must pay an unwaivable application fee (originally $465, subsequently increased to $555, if renewed online, and $605 if renewed via mail).
How do DACA recipients strengthen the United States?
Dreamers have been here for many years and make vital contributions to our communities. American citizens depend on Dreamers. They serve in our military. They contribute to our economy and communities as teachers, health care providers, neighbors, co-congregants, and more. Together with their families, they make our nation a better place
Dreamers help the American economy and serve in the military. Over the next 10 years, Dreamers who currently have DACA will contribute an estimated $420 billion to the GDP, $60 billion in fiscal impact, and $12.3 billion in taxes to Social Security and Medicare if they can continue to work legally in the U.S.
Over 900 DACA recipients with them valuable language and medical skills have enlisted in the military under the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) Pilot Program.
The need for a permanent solution for Dreamers
Congress still needs to pass a bipartisan, legislative solution that protects Dreamers and provides them with permanent legal status, benefiting American workers and our nation. Even after the Supreme Court permitted DACA to remain in place, DACA lacks permanence. The Court made clear that the Trump administration has the authority to make another attempt to end the protections for Dreamers if it uses proper procedures and is able to provide a well-reasoned explanation for its actions. Already, the administration has scaled back the policy through issuing the Wolf memorandum. We should cement the contributions of Dreamers, not keep them at risk of deportation.
Additional Resources
Dreamer Advocacy Resources. Provides latest updates and materials to advocate for a legislative solution for Dreamers and DACA recipients.
This fact sheet provides an overview on the current state of DACA, including legal challenges.
Author: Laurence Benenson