DACA Update

DACA Recipients or Applicants:

As you have likely seen in the news, a ruling by a federal court in Texas has changed the ways that DACA can and will be processed. Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates wants to clarify what this may mean for you if:

• You are a current DACA recipient: Your DACA is still in effect, and you can request renewal when the time comes. If you have applied for advance parole, it will be processed.

• You are in the process of renewing your DACA: The ruling does not affect renewals of DACA for those who received approval before the July 16, 2021, ruling. The renewals will continue to be processed.

• You filed a first-time DACA application: USCIS will accept the initial DACA application, but will not process it. If you have an initial DACA application pending, it is on hold and will not be processed while the court order is in effect.

• You had DACA, but it expired under a year ago: USCIS will consider and process your request for renewal in the same way as other applications for DACA cases that did not expire.

• You had DACA, but it expired over a year ago: Your application for renewal will be considered a new or initial DACA application and will be put on hold with the rest of the first-time DACA applications.

Additional information:

• https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-of-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca

• https://www.informedimmigrant.com/guides/daca-texas-case/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search-ads&utm_campaign=ii-daca-renewal&gclid=CjwKCAjwr56IBhAvEiwA1fuqGspHtcsckqrZhNt8QAAGjXMVLDak7TinQ0V3ykUeKHDJtTU2rZr5iBoCDnAQAvD_BwE#

• https://www.maldef.org/2021/03/texas-v-united-states/

• https://www.npr.org/2021/07/16/987132269/federal-judge-rules-daca-unlawful-but-current-recipients-safe-for-now

Reach out to our office by email at admin@lia-michigan.org or phone at (616) 298-8984 with any questions or concerns about how this ruling affects you. We know this is an extremely difficult time for the DACA community and we want you to know that we support you and are advocating for a permanent path to citizenship for Dreamers.

 Kindest regards,Lighthouse Team