Over the next several weeks, I’d like to highlight the various components of President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration Policy and Reform.
Let’s look at the Expanded DACA provisions today.
EXPANDED DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is one of two deferred action programs that President Obama discussed. DACA was originally announced in June 2012 and the President has expanded it to cover more immigrants.
The foundations of DACA remain the same: applicants must have been in the U.S. prior to their 16th birthday, have met the educational component, and have no or limited criminal history.
For a complete overview, please see the DACA section on our website.
Major changes in Expanded DACA include:
- Eliminating the current age limit
- Original DACA required that the applicant was under 31 years of age on June 17, 2012
- Changing the date of residence in the United States to January 1, 2010
- Original DACA required residence in the United States on or prior to June 17, 2007
- Making a three-year program
- Original DACA was a two-year program, meaning those approved were granted two years of work authorization
- Expanded DACA will enable approved applicants to have three years of valid work authorization
- This change is immediate
- This change applies to all DACA applications currently pending – new filings and renewals
Applications for Expanded DACA are not currently being accepted by USCIS. We anticipate a start date of late February and the filing fees will remain $465.00.
If you meet the requirements of Original DACA, you can currently file a new application or file a renewal.
– Tracie