DACA FULLY RESTORED

Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to fully reinstate the DACA program. This means the administration will be required to open to program to new applicants for the first time since 2017. The Trump Administration has been trying to end DACA, restricting new applications and limiting renewals to one year instead of two. Judge Garaufis of the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider DACA petitions from qualified immigrants who are not currently enrolled in the program. He also ruled that work permits must be for two years, rather than the more limited one-year permit proposed by the Trump Administration. An estimated 300,000 qualifying teens and young adults could now apply for the program.

The DHS announced it intends to comply with the order but will appeal the decision.

To learn more about DACA eligibility, please see our DACA page or call our office to speak with an immigration attorney.