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

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a policy that provides protection from deportation for many immigrants who arrived in the United States as minors. DACA was launched in 2012 by the Obama administration as a way to protect children who were brought to the United States without proper legal authorization. Under DACA, qualifying individuals can legally remain in the United States for two years, with the possibility of renewal. In addition, DACA recipients (often referred to as “Dreamers”) are eligible to receive work authorization and a social security number. In Texas, DACA recipients may be eligible for a driver’s license, and they are also protected from being deported. However, DACA recipients are not eligible to receive any kind of public assistance, such as Medicaid, food stamps, or welfare. DACA is an important policy that provides protection and support to hundreds of thousands of individuals who arrived in the United States as minors and are now living and working here legally. In Texas, DACA recipients are protected from deportation and can also receive a driver’s license and work authorization. However, they are not eligible for any public assistance.

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La Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA) es un tipo de protección temporal otorgada por el gobierno de Estados Unidos a ciertos individuos que llegaron al país como niños sin autorización legal. Esta protección consiste en que el gobierno de EE. UU. no los deportará ni les negará beneficios o acceso a los servicios públicos. La Acción Diferida también otorga un permiso de trabajo temporal que permite a los individuos protegidos ganar dinero para ayudar a sostener a sus familias. Si bien el estado de Texas no aprobó un programa de DACA propio, los jóvenes de Texas pueden cumplir con los requisitos para DACA formulados por el gobierno federal para obtener la acción diferida. Para ser elegible para la Acción Diferida de DACA, un solicitante debe: haber llegado a los EE. UU. antes de los 16 años de edad, haber residido continuamente en el país desde junio de 2007, tener menos de 31 años al 15 de junio de 2012, actualmente estar en la escuela o haberse graduado, y no haber cometido ciertos delitos graves. Los estados de Texas y otros estados han intentado iniciar programas de DACA propios, pero hasta la fecha, el gobierno federal sigue siendo el único responsable de la administración del programa.

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