On September 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a decision finding Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (“DACA”) unlawful. However, the court maintained a partial state of the order for all DACA recipients who received their initial DACA status prior to July 16, 2021.
What Does This Ruling Mean for Current DACA Recipients?
If you applied for and received your DACA status before July 16, 2021, you may continue to renew your DACA status and accompanying work authorization document also known as an “EAD.” Your EAD and DACA status will remain valid unless individually terminated by USCIS.
Can Individuals Apply for DACA as First-Time Applicant?
Yes, and no. USCIS will accept applications for first-time DACA applicants, but they will not process these applications. Effectively, USCIS will just hold on to the application, but they will not grant or otherwise issue a decision for first-time applicants who are applying after July 16, 2021.
Where I Can Find More Information About DACA?
You can find more information about DACA by visiting the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/DACA. If you have additional questions or would like assistance renewing your DACA, please contact our office at (303) 974-7785 to schedule a consultation.