Initial DACA Applications Blocked
Gabriela Ungo • July 19, 2021
Federal Judge in Texas Blocks initial DACA Applications
On Friday, July 16, 2021, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, blocked new filings of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications arguing that it was illegally created by former President Barack Obama in 2012 in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). The judge recognized that current DACA recipients or anyone who previously had DACA, even if they let it expire, may continue to file extensions.
This decision affects all initial DACA applications currently being processed without adjudication
(no decision from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service) until further court action. The Department of Justice announced it will file an appeal to the court decision since 80,000 initial DACA applications remain pending.
We will continue to update clients and readers affected by this decision as soon as more information becomes available.
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