DACA and DAPA Programs: Who Qualifies?

There’s much debate about the DACA and DAPA programs, which has an impact on the lives of undocumented immigrants. Many immigrants, U.S citizens and residents will need to learn the details and issues affecting the existing US immigration policy. Currently, the U. S Citizenship and Immigration Services do not accept applications for DACA and DAPA programs. There is a temporary block from a federal court in Texas that block the expansion and implementation of the programs.

What Is DACA?

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is an American Immigration Policy shielding people who came to the United States as children from deportation. The policy was founded in 2014 by the Obama administration. Initially, the program protected people who arrived in the US before turning 16 years old and before June 2007. The policy provides undocumented immigrants with temporary citizenship, Social Security Number, and a 2-year renewable work permit.

What Is DAPA?

The Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents or Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program is a policy by the Obama administration of 2014. It offers temporary relief from deportation to people without lawful immigration status and has been in the US since the year 2010. These are the immigrants whose children are lawful permanent American residents or citizens. DAPA enables immigrants to hold a renewable 3-year work permit.

Who Qualifies for the DACA and DAPA?

The recipients of DACA and DAPA programs have a better chance to be integrated into the US as legal citizens and residents. However, they must meet the outlined requirements to be eligible for deferred action, and these are:

DACA

• Lives in the US continuously since 1st January 2010
• Present in the US before 15th June 2012 and continuously lived since 15th August 2012
• Has lived in the US before the age of 16 years
• Free of certain criminal convictions
• Graduates with completion of high school, GED certificate and must be in school when applying for DACA

DAPA

• Continuously lives in the US since 1st January 2010
• Been always present (every day) in the US since 20th November 2014
• Is a parent to children who are a lawful permanent resident or US citizen
• Does not have a conviction of certain misdemeanors, felonies, and criminal offenses
• Must have entered the US unlawfully, or with lawful immigration that has expired before 20th November 2014

Impact of DACA and DAPA to Immigrants

The policy has a social and economic effect on those who are eligible for the DACA and DAPA programs.

• These programs help to improve the affected immigrant families with the creation of better jobs and the growth of the economy. People with work permits will benefit from better job matches and higher wages. The impact of an improved economy influenced by the immigrants may hasten the steps to make the process lawful. In result, will reduce their fears of deportation.
• The program helps families to remain united as the parents, and their children do not face separation. Parents who face deportation may cause their children to develop an emotional strain, and they may not succeed in education and financially. Children with the assurance of a family, have the opportunity for scholarships, can attend public universities, new jobs, and open bank accounts. Furthermore, this event reduces the number of children in foster care.
• The policy doesn’t guarantee automatic legal US citizenship, there is hope that the process will be easier and quicker for those in and out of the program. With an expanded program, there will be trust-building and cooperation that will help to reduce tensions among the immigrant communities and law enforcers.

Call Us Today!

If you are an immigrant in the US, then you will need the services of an attorney who specializes in all aspects of immigration. With Immigration Law Group, we advocate for policies that will benefit the undocumented immigrant. We represent clients in removal proceedings, family, and employment-based immigration issues before the US Immigration Courts.

For more information,  contact us, and our team of qualified attorneys will help you to obtain legal status in the US.