Rumors have been circulating for some time now that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program initiated by President Obama will soon come to an end. Today those rumors gained more traction with reports that President Trump and his administration have reached a decision. According to news sources, they will be terminating the program and allowing all current holders of employment authorization under DACA to finish out the validity period on their card.
An official decision has not actually been reached, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. I expect it will happen soon, though.
It was only a matter of time before DACA would be terminated, either by the current administration or the courts. DACA’s later-in-time sister program, DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans), was stopped by the courts from taking effect last year because it was an executive act that granted employment authorization, something which must be granted by congress, not the President. Before the fight could continue in the court system, DAPA was rescinded by President Trump, which was a warning sign for DACA holders.
Even though a decision on DACA has not yet been officially reached by President Trump, DACA holders who have not yet explored other avenues for legal status should act immediately. The re-introduced DREAM Act this year by Senators Durbin and South Carolina’s-own Lindsey Graham would go a long way to helping certain DACA recipients, but it is also a long way from becoming law.
In the last few months I have had several people come to me to initiate the green card application process who were married to U.S. citizens and were also DACA holders. These people have been eligible to obtain a green card, but the costly process has prevented them from following through.
The imminent termination of DACA has caused me to significantly reduce my legal fees and offer more favorable payment plans for people who will be losing DACA or the chance at getting DACA, if they qualify for some other immigration benefit. I cannot change the USCIS fees, but I am hoping to provide some help to these individuals.
If you or someone you know has DACA, please have them contact my office for a free evaluation of any legal options they may have, and significantly reduced legal fees. (843) 804-4844, hello@occam-legal.com, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to request a call.
I will return with a new article soon addressing some other updates in U.S. immigration policy.
Regards,
David Vyborny
