Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program created in 2012 by the Obama administration allowing young people brought to the United States by their parents to get a temporary reprieve from deportation and to receive permission to work, study and obtain driver's licenses.

Latest Update

In July 2021, a Texas judge issued a ruling partially ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The decision means that current DACA recipients can continue applying for renewal but that DACA is closed to those who would be submitting initial DACA applications for the first time. Only renewal and Advance Parole applications will be accepted by USCIS. For information about the eligibility and process for submitting an initial application for DACA, visit this website. 

Eligibility Guidelines 

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
3. Had continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
5. Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
6. Were currently in school, had graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, had obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or were an honorably-discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
7. Had not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and did not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.