Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that allows some individuals with unlawful presence in the United States after being brought to the country as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit in the U.S.
DACA gives eligible undocumented immigrants:
- Temporary deportation protection.
- And a work permit that allows them to get a social security number.
A person can be eligible for DACA if they:
1. Were born after June 15, 1981;
2. Came to the United States before their 16th birthday;
3. Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and when applying for DACA;
4. Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
5. Have continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, until the present;
6. Meet certain educational requirement or were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed
Forces; and
7. Have not been convicted of certain crimes
Individuals who are interested in applying for the program should consult an attorney to discuss
further.