What Is DACA?
DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This policy allows certain undocumented immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” who came to the U.S. as children to avoid deportation. DACA recipients can also receive work permits, social security numbers, and driver’s licenses, which allows them to live and work legally in the U.S. However, it’s important to remember that DACA does not grant permanent legal status, such as a green card, and does not provide a path to citizenship. The approval is temporary and valid for two years but can be renewed if the recipient continues to meet the eligibility requirements.
Important Changes in DACA Application Fees (Starting April 1, 2024):
- Online Renewal Fee: $555 (new rate)
- Paper Renewal Fee: $605 (new rate)
- How to Pay for Paper Renewals: Two separate payments – $85 for the application (Form I-821D) and $520 for the work permit (Form I-765).
- Advance Parole (Travel Document, Form I-131): Fee increases to $630 from $575.
The Benefits of DACA (2024)
DACA provides many essential benefits for its recipients. As of 2024, about 832,881 people are enrolled in the program, and they receive several advantages that significantly impact their lives:
- Protection from Deportation: DACA protects Dreamers from being deported, giving them peace of mind while living in the U.S. without the immediate threat of being sent back to a country they might not remember or consider home.
- Work Authorization: With DACA, recipients are granted a work permit, allowing them to work legally in the U.S. This helps them find better job opportunities and support themselves and their families.
- Access to Education: While DACA recipients aren’t eligible for federal financial aid, they may be able to access state or institutional aid in certain states. This makes it possible for Dreamers to attend college and pursue higher education, which improves their career prospects.
- Social Security Number: DACA recipients are issued a Social Security Number (SSN), which is essential for employment, opening a bank account, and other essential activities in the U.S.
- Driver’s Licenses and State IDs: In many states, DACA recipients can apply for a driver’s license or a state ID, making it easier to access services and drive legally.
- Healthcare Access: While DACA recipients are not eligible for federal healthcare programs like Medicaid, having a legal status and an SSN may make it easier for them to access private healthcare or employer-sponsored insurance.
- Protection of Status: DACA helps prevent recipients from accumulating “unlawful presence,” which could complicate future immigration applications.
- Renewability: DACA status and its benefits are renewable every two years, as long as the recipient remains eligible.
- Pathway to Other Immigration Relief: For some, DACA serves as a stepping stone to more permanent forms of immigration relief, such as applying for lawful permanent residency, especially in cases where the individual marries a U.S. citizen.
- Increased Economic and Social Integration: With the ability to work and study legally, DACA recipients can better integrate into U.S. society, contributing positively to the economy and their communities.
DACA Recipients to Gain Access to ACA Health Coverage (Starting November 1, 2024)
In a significant policy change, the Biden administration has announced that, starting November 1, 2024, over 100,000 DACA recipients will be eligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This change aims to reduce the high uninsured rate among Dreamers by allowing them to enroll in ACA Marketplace plans and potentially access premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions based on their income.
Who Is Eligible for DACA?
As of now, an estimated 1.8 million people are eligible for DACA, but around 800,000 individuals are currently enrolled. To apply for DACA, certain conditions must be met. Applicants must:
- Have arrived in the U.S. before their 16th birthday.
- Have lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007.
- Be younger than 31 years old as of June 15, 2012.
- Be physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of their application.
- Have been in the U.S. without lawful status on June 15, 2012.
- Be currently enrolled in school, have graduated, or been honorably discharged from the military.
- Have a clean criminal record (no felonies or serious misdemeanors, or no more than three minor offenses).
Immigrants up to the age of 31 can apply for DACA benefits, as long as they meet these requirements.
How to Apply for DACA: Step-by-Step Guide
If you are applying for DACA for the first time, you must complete two forms:
- Form I-821D (“Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”).
- Form I-765 (“Application for Employment Authorization Document”).
You will need to submit these forms along with the required fee (currently $750). Additionally, you must attend a biometrics appointment at a local USCIS Application Support Center.
Required Supporting Documents:
You will also need to provide proof for the following:
- Proof of Identity: Birth certificate, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
- Proof You Came to the U.S. Before Age 16: Passport stamps, school records, medical records, etc.
- Proof of Continuous Residence in the U.S.: School records, employment records, tax returns, or medical records since June 2007.
- Proof of No Lawful Status on June 15, 2012: Immigration documents showing no lawful status.
- Proof of Education or Military Service: School records, GED certificates, or military discharge records.
DACA Renewal:
If you are already a DACA recipient and need to renew your status, USCIS recommends applying for a renewal between 120 and 150 days before your current DACA expires. You will need to submit:
- Form I-821D and Form I-765.
- Documents related to your current status (e.g., proof of continued residence and lack of criminal activity).
The renewal fee is the same as the initial application fee ($750).
DACA History and Legal Challenges
The DACA program was created by President Barack Obama in 2012 after Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act, which would have granted permanent legal status to certain undocumented immigrants. DACA was intended as a temporary measure, but it has faced significant legal challenges over the years.
In 2017, the Trump administration announced plans to phase out DACA, but various court rulings prevented its complete dismantling. In 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to reinstate DACA, though some restrictions remain in place. As of January 2023, no new decisions have been made regarding the future of the program, but the Biden administration continues to advocate for Congress to pass legislation that would provide a permanent solution for Dreamers.
Common Questions About DACA
Are DACA students eligible for financial aid? DACA students cannot access federal financial aid but may qualify for state or local scholarships and financial assistance in some states.
Are DACA recipients U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents? No, DACA recipients are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. DACA only provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization, but it does not grant a path to citizenship.
Can DACA recipients travel? DACA recipients can apply for Advance Parole, a travel document that allows them to leave the U.S. for employment, educational, or humanitarian reasons.
Are DACA recipients eligible for Medicaid? Some states, including California, Minnesota, and New York, provide limited Medicaid benefits to DACA recipients who meet income requirements.
DACA remains a crucial lifeline for many immigrants in the U.S., offering both protection and opportunities. While its future is uncertain, it continues to provide vital benefits, including work authorization, healthcare access, and the chance to build a better life.
