On June 15, 2012, the U.S. Government announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several key requirements may apply for deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would then be eligible for a work permit. With a work permit, an immigrant can apply for a social security number as well as a state ID or driver’s license. However, DACA is not a permanent reprieve and it is not currently a pathway to residency or citizenship.
If you need more information, visit the USCIS DACA FAQs page.
UPDATED DECEMBER 7, 2020
On December 4, 2020, Judge Garaufis of the Eastern District of New York ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take certain actions regarding new DACA applications. As a result, effective December 7, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is once again:
Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA policy prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
Extending one-year grants of deferred action under DACA to two years; and
Extending one-year employment authorization documents under DACA to two years.
USCIS will take appropriate steps to provide evidence of the one-year extensions of deferred action and employment authorization documents under DACA to individuals who were issued documentation on or after July 28, 2020.
In accordance with Judge Garaufis’ order, USCIS will now begin accepting and processing requests for Advance Parole based on the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017. It is important to note that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will retain the authority it has always had and exercised in determining the admissibility of any person trying to enter the United States at the border or at a port of entry. Further, USCIS will retain the authority to revoke or terminate an advance parole document at any time.