The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, established in 2012 by the Obama Administration, has been a ray of hope for over 900,000 immigrants, often referred to as "Dreamers." This initiative has allowed them to pursue education, build careers, and contribute to American society.
Understanding DACA
DACA, at its core, is a program designed to protect young adults who arrived in the United States as children from the threat of deportation. It provides them with the opportunity to work legally for a defined period, with the possibility of renewal.
Eligibility for DACA
While DACA is a lifeline for many, it is not available to everyone. To qualify for the program, immigrants must meet specific criteria:
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Age Requirement: Eligible applicants must have been born after June 15, 1981, and be under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, when the program was initiated.
Continuous Residence: Immigrants must have entered the US before their 16th birthday and have maintained continuous residence in the country since June 15, 2007.
Physical Presence: Aspiring Dreamers must have been physically present in the United States from June 15, 2012, until the time of their application.
Educational or Military Criteria: Eligible candidates should be enrolled in school, have graduated from high school, obtained a GED certificate, or be honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces or Coast Guard.
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Clean Criminal Record: To be admitted to the DACA program, immigrants must not have prior felonies, significant misdemeanors, or three or more misdemeanors on their criminal record. Additionally, eligible applicants cannot pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Meeting these criteria opens the door to the opportunities DACA provides, including protection from deportation and the ability to work legally in the US.
In the landscape of US immigration policy, DACA remains a lifeline for countless young immigrants, offering them a chance to build a brighter future.
