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

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that allows certain individuals who are undocumented immigrants to apply for protection from deportation and the ability to work in the United States. The individual must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16 and must have lived in the United States since at least June 15, 2007. In Washington, DACA offers a two-year protection from deportation and the ability to obtain work permits, social security numbers, and driver’s licenses. Renewal for DACA status is done every two years and can be applied for no sooner than four months before the expiration date. DACA does not provide an individual with a pathway to US citizenship, nor does it offer a permanent status. However, many DACA recipients have been able to obtain higher education and obtain employment, which provides them with the opportunity to eventually obtain a legal status. Moreover, DACA is subject to termination by the President and the policy has been challenged in recent years. Therefore, despite the current deferred action, it is important for individuals to remain informed regarding the changes in DACA policy and stay in contact with an immigration lawyer if needed.

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Una acción diferida para los llegados en la infancia (conocida como DACA) es un programa de acción diferida que fue creado por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos en 2012. Esta acción permite a los individuos que cumplen ciertos requisitos eludir temporalmente la deportación y poder obtener un permiso de trabajo. Para calificar para el programa, los participantes deben haber llegado a los Estados Unidos antes de que cumplieran los 16 años, vivir en el país desde junio de 2007, poseer ciertos documentos de inmigración, tener un buen expediente académico y no haber sido condenados por algún delito grave. Sin embargo, esta acción diferida no ofrece un estatus legal permanente ni un camino hacia la ciudadanía estadounidense. Como tal, los participantes deben renovar su estatus cada dos años y estar al tanto de los cambios en la ley de inmigración. El programa también está sujeto a la revisión. Es importante para aquellos en Washington que estén interesados en el DACA que comprendan qué requisitos deben cumplir para convertirse en candidatos elegibles. Si los requisitos se cumplen, el programa proporciona una seguridad temporal y ciertos privilegios, como el permiso de trabajo.

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

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