On December 2020, eligible immigrants could once again file initial applications for benefits through Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA is an immigration policy whereby certain people who came to the United States as children and met several guidelines could receive temporary renewable protection from deportation.

However, a recent case has made that more challenging.

On July 16, 2021, Federal District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled that DACA was illegal and enjoined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from accepting new applicants. This means that first time applicants can still file DACA applications, but those applications will be put on hold because the DHS is currently prohibited from granting initial DACA requests. This new ruling has NOT affected existing DACA recipients and they are still eligible to renew DACA .
Continue Reading The Current State of DACA