What is DACA?

Many students who have come to the United States, or are known as dreamers, qualify for an executive action that was signed by president Obama known as DACA; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA applies to children who arrive to the United States under the age of 16 and who meet other qualifications. DACA is an executive action and is a temporary program. The qualifications that a person who wants to know if they are eligible for DACA include a person being under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 but also arrived in the United States before they turned 16 years old. The time period in which a person wishing to qualify for DACA has to have continuously lived in the U.S. from at least June 15, 2007 until present day. Persons wishing to qualify for DACA must currently be in school, have a GED, have graduated from high school or be an honorably discharged U.S. Coast Guard or Armed Forces veteran. In addition, there must be no felony convictions, three or more misdemeanors or be considered a national security threat.

With the upcoming presidential election, the certainty of this program may be in question depending on the next President. Currently there is pending litigation before the Supreme Court that we are currently awaiting a decision to see if this program and other similar executive actions will continue to be in force. Our firm cares about the status of this decision and will continuously look for updates on any changes that may affect our clients. For further information, please contact an immigration attorney.

If you are in need of experienced legal counsel for matters of immigration, please contact the Law Offices of Salvatore A. Falletta, LLC.