What is a deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA)?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy in California that provides certain individuals who were brought to the United States illegally as minors with protection from deportation and work authorization. The policy was established in 2012 and is currently in effect, although in certain circumstances it may not be available as an option to individuals. DACA allows certain undocumented individuals who meet specific qualifications to remain in the United States for a renewable two-year period, and be eligible for work authorization. To qualify for DACA, applicants must show that they arrived in the U.S. before their 16th birthday and were under the age of 31 when DACA was created. They must have been continuously residing in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, and must not have been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors of any kind. DACA recipients are granted protection from deportation and the ability to live and work in the U.S. without fear of detention or removal. Additionally, they may be eligible for health insurance coverage and other legal protections, including in-state tuition rates for college. Despite having these protections, DACA recipients are not considered legal citizens or lawful permanent residents and do not have the same rights and privileges as those who have obtained those statuses.

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La Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA) es una política de inmigración creada por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos en 2012. Esta política permite que los jóvenes inmigrantes indocumentados que cumplen ciertos requisitos (que hayan llegado a los Estados Unidos antes de los 16 años de edad, que lleven residiendo en los Estados Unidos desde el 2007, entre otros) reciban un permiso temporal para vivir y trabajar en los Estados Unidos. Dicho permiso temporal, a veces conocido como un permiso de trabajo, le permite a los soñadores indocumentados obtener una autorización de empleo para trabajar legalmente en los Estados Unidos. Durante el periodo de la acción diferida, los beneficiarios también tendrán acceso a una variedad de servicios públicos, como Medicaid, y tendrán la oportunidad de solicitar una exención de la deportación. Esto significa que mientras están gozando de la acción diferida, los soñadores tendrán una seguridad temporal para quedarse en los Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, si bien esta política les da a los soñadores indocumentados la estabilidad temporal para quedarse en los Estados Unidos, no les otorga el estatus legal de inmigrante. La acción diferida solo otorga una protección temporal en el lugar. Si los soñadores desean obtener un estatus legal de inmigrante, tendrán que seguir otras rutas, como obtener una visa de estudiante, una visa de trabajo o aplicar para la residencia permanente.

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