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

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, is an immigration policy that was created by the Obama administration in 2012. It allows certain individuals who were brought to the United States as children and who meet several guidelines to be protected from deportation and to be eligible for a work permit. The policy applies to individuals who were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, and who came to the United States before their 16th birthday. In Virginia, individuals eligible for DACA are called “Dreamers”. To be eligible for DACA in Virginia, an individual must have: lived in the United States continuously since June 15, 2007; have been present in the United States on June 15, 2012 and at the time of making the application; have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors; and not pose a threat to public safety or national security. When a person applies for DACA, they will submit an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the application is approved, then the applicant will receive a work permit and be granted temporary deferred action status. This allows them to remain in the United States and work legally for two years, which can be renewed. The DACA policy has been a great help to thousands of undocumented immigrants in Virginia and across the country.

THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.

La Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA, por sus siglas en inglés) es un tipo de acción ejecutiva emitida por el Gobierno de Estados Unidos en 2012. Esta acción brinda a los inmigrantes indocumentados que llegaron a Estados Unidos como menores de edad una oportunidad de obtener un permiso de trabajo temporal y, con él, los beneficios de ciertos programas sociales que normalmente están reservados para los ciudadanos estadounidenses. Si cumplen con los criterios para ingresar a la programa pueden obtener un permiso de trabajo y no ser sujetos a la deportación temporalmente. Para calificar para la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia, los solicitantes deben cumplir con una serie de requisitos específicos. Deben haber llegado a Estados Unidos antes de cumplir los 16 años de edad. También deben cumplir los límites de edad actuales, es decir, que deben tener 27 años o menos, no tener ciudadanía de ningún país, no tener una visa válida para un periodo de tiempo determinado. También deben demostrar que han vivido continuamente en Estados Unidos desde junio de 2012. Finalmente, los solicitantes deben ser estudiantes o haber completado un programa de educación secundaria, o tener un diploma de escuela secundaria o un certificado de equivalencia, o estar actualmente inscritos en un programa educativo.

Related FAQs

What is the process for applying for a fiancé visa?
How do I prepare for the interviews associated with an immigration application?
What are the different types of Immigration Law?
What is a family-based petition?
What are the procedures for applying for a visa?
How can an immigrant gain legal permanent residence in the U.S.?
What is the process for filing an application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
How do I update my address with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)?
How do I avoid deportation?
What is the difference between naturalization and citizenship?

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

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts