Updates on DACA

Gabriela Ungo • August 26, 2022

Biden Administration issues regulations to preserve and fortify the DACA program

On August 24, 2022, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), issued regulations to preserve and fortify DACA. They will be effective on October 31, 2022. USCIS will continue to renew DACA applications according to the 2012 regulations issued under the Obama Administration. 


For a decade, thousands of individuals have been protected from deportation and granted employment authorization under the DACA program. On July 21, 2021, a Texas Judge found the Obama era DACA regulations unlawful, and issued an injunction. The purpose of the 8/24/2022 regulations is to preserve DACA and protect those who benefit from the program, by publishing new rules which would not be affected by the Texas lawsuit. 


How do the regulations affect 1st time DACA applicants?

As of now, there are no changes in the DACA program since the 7/21/2021, injunction. Since then, the USCIS cannot grant DACA status to new applicants or to those whose status had been expired more than 1 year.


What is the update on the DACA 7/21/2021 injunction?

The case was appealed and it is now being heard at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, LA. The timing of the decision is uncertain. If the Court of Appeals denies de appeal, the case will be heard in the Supreme Court.


My application for initial DACA status has been pending, will USCIS process my case after the new 8/24/2022 regulation ?

Unfortunately, every application for initial DACA is still on hold and cannot be adjudicated.


NOTICIAS DACA (ESPAÑOL)


El 24 de Agosto del 2022, el Servicio Nacional de Inmigración (USCIS en sus siglas en inglés) emitió regulaciones para preservar y fortificar DACA. Serán efectivas a partir del el 31 de Octubre de 2022. El USCIS continuará renovando aplicaciones DACA de acuerdo con los términos del año 2012, emitidas bajo la Administración de Obama.


Por una década, miles de individuos han sido protegidos de deportación y son beneficiarios de autorización de empleo bajo el programa DACA. Desde el 21 de julio de 2021, un Juez de Texas decidió que las regulaciones DACA de la era Obama eran ilegales, y emitió un interdicto sobre las mismas. El objetivo de las regulaciones del 24/08/2022 fue preservar DACA y proteger aquellos que se benefician del programa, publicando nuevas regulaciones que no sean afectadas por la demanda en Texas. 


Cómo afectarán estas nuevas regulaciones aplicantes DACA iniciales?

Por el momento, no habrá cambios en el programa DACA ya que desde el interdicto de Julio del 2021. Desde ese momento, USCIS no puede dar estatus DACA al nuevos aplicantes o aquellos cuyo estatus a expirado por más de un año.


Cuáles son las más recientes noticias sobre el interdicto del julio del 2022? 

La decisión del Juez de Texas fue apelado por la Administración Biden y por el momento está siendo revisado por la Corte de Apelación del Quinto Circuito localizado en Nueva Orleans. No se sabe cuando la corte tomará una decisión. En caso de qué la apelación sea negada, el caso sería revisado por la Suprema Corte de EEUU.


Mi aplicación inicial DACA está pendiente, el servicio nacional de migración adjudicada mi caso después de esta nueva regulación?

Desafortunadamente, todas las aplicaciones iniciales para DACA, se encuentran paralizadas y no se podrán adjudicar. 


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