On September 5, 2017, Jeff Sessions announced the USCIS will be rescinding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program better known as DACA. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will have a 6-month window to determine the future of DACA. USCIS will adjudicate, on a case by case basis, all properly filed DACA applications. According to DHS, there were 106,341 requests pending as of August 20, 2017 – 34,487 initial requests and 71,854 renewals.
The six-month window to wind down the DACA program is designed to give Congress time to craft new immigration legislation, according to reports. President Trump urges congress to pass a replacement before phasing out protections in 6 months.
What’s next for DACA recipients?
Individuals who are currently DACA recipients and their DACA will expire between the dates of September 5, 2017, and March 5th, 2017, should submit their renewal paperwork before the given deadline of October 5, 2017. USCIS will reject all requests to renew DACA and associated applications for EADs filed after October 5, 2017.
USCIS states “Individuals who have not submitted an application by Sept. 5, for an initial request under DACA may no longer apply. USCIS will reject all applications for initial requests received after Sept. 5.” The FAQ section states, “When their period of deferred action expires or is terminated, their removal will no longer be deferred and they will no longer be eligible for lawful employment.”
Barack Obama took to twitter to speak out about Trump’s actions on DACA “To target hopeful young strivers who grew up here is wrong, because they’ve done nothing wrong.” He provided a link to his full statement on facebook.