Effective December 7, 2020 and pursuant to court order, the USCIS re-implemented the DACA policies in place before September 5, 2017.  As a result, the agency is currently accepting new DACA applications based on those terms, and modifying decisions taken under the new policies to comply with the original terms of the DACA program.

As a result, beneficiaries of approved cases filed between September 5, 2017 and December 7, 2020

• Will have their grants of deferred action and employment authorization documents extended from one to two years
• Will be able to apply for advance parole (travel) documents

New and extension cases filed after December 7 will be considered in accordance with the terms of the DACA program prior to September 5, 2017.  The benefits will comprise grants of deferred action and employment authorization in two-year increments and advance parole (travel) documents.

However, the Trump administration is seeking to overturn the court order and may reverse any decision or action carried out under the order if its appeal is successful.

Potential new applicants should also be aware the original qualifications still apply:  they must have resided in the U.S. since 2007 and have come to the country when they were younger than 16.  Other requirements include current enrollment in or documented completion of high school education, or honorable discharge from the Coast Guard or military.  Police record and other past conduct are also considerations.

If you have questions about DACA or how these developments may affect you, feel free to call us at 847 763 8500 or contact us through our web site, http://www.immig-chicago.com/contact-us/