John,
On July 16, 2021, a district judge in Texas issued a ruling partially ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. While this decision may get appealed, we wanted to inform our community how it affects DACA-eligible immigrants and current DACA recipients.
Read the latest updates we have on DACA here.
At the time of this email, current DACA recipients will still continue to be able to work and receive other benefit, such as protection from deportation. They can also continue to renew their DACA, and all the currently pending applications will be processed. In addition, DACA recipients can still apply for Advance Parole to travel abroad.
The Texas ruling bars first-time DACA applicants from receiving DACA. All the biometrics appointments that were previously scheduled for first-time applicants have been canceled, and all the applicants who have already completed their biometrics will not have their applications processed. However, the USCIS will continue to accept applications from first time DACA applicants without processing or approving them unless this ruling is overturned. USCIS has also stated that they will not refund any application fees.1
Between the delays in DACA renewals and this ruling, we feel your pain and frustration. This decision reminds us that there is no alternative: we need a pathway to citizenship. Take action with our partner organization NAKASEC today to demand that Congress and White House take decisive action for our communities.
After decades of legislative inaction, undocumented immigrants fought for and won DACA in 2012. However, DACA recipients and their families deserve more than a two-year protection - they deserve stability and a permanent solution. We believe in the power of our community to come together to go even further for a pathway to citizenship. Together, we still rise.
Thank you for all that you do,
The Immigrants Rising Team
1 Frequently Asked Questions from USCIS |
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