DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

On June 15, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, for undocumented youth who meet a number of requirements. Youth granted DACA are protected from deportation for two years (subject to renewal), provided with a work permit, and in almost every state, DACAmented students can apply for a driver’s license.

However, despite more than 10 years of providing over 800,000 Dreamers across the country a path to citizenship and a way out of the shadows, the DACA program is at risk. Republican appointed judges have issued decisions over the last few months that threaten the program’s legitimacy and stop roughly 100,000 new applicants from applying. 

Without action from Congress, DACA’s future and the futures of all the Dreamers and DACA beneficiaries is at risk. We must stand together to demand that Congress pass a permanent legislative fix for DACA and comprehensive immigration reform. 

Demand that Congress act now for immigrant justice. 

We must end the unconscionable fear of deportation and family separation that immigrants live with every single day. DACA Beneficiaries, Dreamers & TPS holders are part of the fabric of our nation—teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, early childhood educators, university professors, and health professionals. They help bring our classrooms, college campuses and health care centers to life. The only way to fully protect Dreamers and DACA beneficiaries from the threat of deportation is by passing legislation with a pathway to citizenship. 

Urge Congress to protect DACA now   

Join the AFT and our partners in this work—United We Dream, the National Immigration Law Center, the UndocuBlack Network, Home Is Here and others—in the struggle for a permanent path to citizenship for DACA recipients, individuals with Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure, Dreamers, and their families.