5 Important Things You Need To Know About DACA

There is no doubt that we’re in a difficult moment. Below is our best thinking on how to move forward if you have DACA.

1. DACA still stands.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program under President Obama’s administration and it will remain until the end of his administration, January 20, 2017. #RealTalk, Trump has said he will end all of Obama’s executive actions, including DACA, and we won’t know for sure what he will do until he comes into office. For now, DACA still stands.

2. First time applying for DACA? Hold off.
If you are applying for DACA for the first time, we recommend that you hold off. The reality is that we have 6 weeks until the end of the Obama administration, that is not enough time to process new applications.

3. Applying for a DACA renewal? Move forward.
If you’re DACA is up for renewal we encourage you to apply for renewal. We are working with USCIS to process renewal applications faster.

4. Got advance parole? go travel, BUT come back.
If you have an approved advanced parole take advantage of it! BUT you MUST return before January 20th, 2017. We recommend that you contact advocacy@unitedwedream.org if you have any problems coming back in. If you’re planning on applying for advance parole, we recommend that you hold off!

5. You are not alone. We’ve got your back.
Immigrant young people like you made DACA happen when everyone thought it was impossible. The reason we succeeded is because we dared to dream together and we had each other. In this moment of uncertainty one thing is certain, we are not alone. Join us in our #HereToStay campaign to fight to protect DACA! Text HereToStay to 877877. Also info available on unitedwedream.org.

Greisa Martínez is the United We Dream Advocacy Director.