At The Law Office of Jesse Sanchez, we understand the profound impact the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has had on the lives of countless individuals brought to the United States as children. However, the legal landscape surrounding DACA remains unclear, which increases the importance of timely renewal for DACA recipients. This blog post will discuss the current legal status of DACA and why it is crucial to renew your DACA status early.
The Current Legal State of DACA
Since it began in 2012, DACA has provided temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to eligible individuals without lawful immigration status who were brought to the U.S. as children. DACA has enabled recipients, often referred to as “Dreamers,” to pursue education and employment, contribute to their communities, and build futures in the only country that is home.
However, the future of DACA has been subject to legal and political challenges for several years. In 2017, the Trump administration announced plans to end the program, leading to legal battles that ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2020 that the administration's attempts to terminate DACA were unlawful. As a result, the DACA program was kept in place, allowing current recipients to continue renewing their status. However, the DACA program is not currently processing any new applications for people who are not already in the program.
Despite the small victory to keep the program, the legal status of DACA remains unstable. Ongoing legal challenges in the courts and political debates over immigration policy could potentially impact the entire future of the program. Additionally, changes in presidential administrations and shifts in immigration enforcement priorities may influence DACA policy and implementation.
The Importance of Early Renewal
Given the uncertainty surrounding DACA, it is essential for those who already have DACA to renew their status early whenever possible. Here are several reasons why early renewal is crucial:
Maintaining Continuous Protection: Renewing DACA early helps ensure that you maintain continuous protection from deportation and work authorization. Delays or gaps in DACA renewal could leave you vulnerable to immigration enforcement actions and interrupt their ability to work legally.
Avoiding Lapses in Status: Processing times for DACA renewals can vary, and unforeseen delays may occur due to factors such as increased application volume
or administrative backlogs. By renewing DACA early, you can minimize the risk of your status expiring before your renewal is approved.
Preventing Disruptions in Employment and Education: DACA provides recipients with the opportunity to work legally and pursue educational goals. Failing to timely renew DACA could disrupt employment and educational opportunities, potentially impacting your ability to work .
Preparing for Potential Changes: Given the uncertain legal and political landscape surrounding DACA, early renewal allows recipients to prepare for potential changes or challenges to the program. By renewing DACA early, you can ensure you are protected under the current program while also staying informed about developments that may affect your status in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the legal state of DACA remains uncertain, underscoring the importance of early renewal for current DACA recipients. By renewing DACA early, you can maintain continuous protection from deportation, avoid disruptions in employment and education, and prepare for potential changes to the program. At our firm, we strongly encourage DACA recipients to take proactive steps to renew their status early and protect their future in the United States. If you have DACA status and have questions or are ready to renew, call us at The Law Office of Jesse Sanchez today. We are here to help!
