DACA
News & Announcements
- As of August, 2018, due to court orders, the government is still accepting applications to renew DACA as long as you still meet the requirements for eligiblity.
- Access & Diversity Town Hall on DACA June 13, 2020: Watch Discussion.
What is Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals? (DACA)
On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status. For more information regarding DACA, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
DACA Eligibility Guidelines
(New applications NOT accepted after September 5, 2017)
DACA DOES NOT award lawful immigration status to recipients; this means that people in a deferred action status are not considered U.S. citizens, permanent residents or eligible non-citizens. DACA does not provide a pathway to citizenship.
- Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
- Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
- Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
- Were physically present in the United States of June 15, 2019, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
- Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
- Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
- Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
DACA IS HERE TO STAY!
Last updated: June 19, 2020
To our Wildcats, Future Wildcats, and Community members,
We continue to celebrate the victory in our long battle for Dreamers. As we hope many of you have heard, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) voted in a 5-4 decision to uphold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)! They determined that the current administration's methods for the termination of DACA were unlawful. They have immediately reinstated the DACA program for the time being.
What Does This Mean?
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The SCOTUS has stated that DACA should continue to operate under its original mandate of 2012. This means that new applicants can apply and current recipients should renew without fear of losing their renewal funds.
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New applicants must meet the original qualifications for the 2012 decision which can be found here.
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This is an important win but not a permanent solution. The Trump Administration has hinted in the past that if they lost this decision they would try to terminate DACA by other means.
Legal Aid & Resources
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Catholic Community Services legal team is currently placing an emphasis on helping with DACA. They are encouraging all to RENEW NOW. Their office number is 801-428-1218.
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The Consulate of Mexico in SLC is helping Mexican citizens with renewal fees. Please call 801-521-8502 ext. 111, 112, 114, 115.
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For non-Mexican citizens who are in high need of support for renewals, please contact Moe Hickey at moe@utahchildren.org to apply for a DACA renewal scholarship.
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You can also call the free nonprofit hotline at 801-328-9027. This will place you in contact with lots of different agencies.
Students experiencing distress because of the reports can visit the University Counseling and Psychological Services Center in the Student Services Building, Suite 280. Students can also call 801-626-6406 to schedule an initial intake appointment or the 24-hour Crisis Line at 801-625-3700. Please reach out to us directly with any questions regarding updates or community resources at 801-626-7006.
Sincerely,
Undocumented & Refugee Student Resources