THE FUTURE OF DACA IS IN THE HANDS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES: WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Last fall, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case, Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California. The case deals with the question of whether the DACA program can continue and unfortunately the outlook is grim for Dreamers.
 
Although the Coronavirus has disrupted the Supreme Court’s calendar, the Court has nonetheless vowed to resolve all cases already argued. This includes the DACA case. It is therefore likely that a decision on whether DACA can continue or should be terminated will come down soon.
 
So what should you do?
 
Dreamers whose DACA has expired or will expire this year or early next year should RENEW their DACA as soon as possible.
 
Why should you renew now?
 
Although no one knows what the Court’s decision will be, it is possible that if the Court terminates the DACA program, they will do so by phasing it out. This means that if your DACA work permit expires in 2022, it is possible that the Court will allow you to keep your DACA status until then, even if they get rid of the DACA program. As a result, if your DACA will be expiring sometime this year or early next year it is a good idea to secure another two years of DACA protection.
 
Who can renew?
 
Anyone who has DACA now or whose DACA has expired or been terminated can renew.
 
Can I apply for DACA if I never had DACA in the past?
 
No. Unfortunately, the injunction allowing persons to renew their DACA does not allow persons who have never had DACA in the past to apply.
 
 What else should I do?
​
If you have DACA, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to explore all your immigration options.  Our office has been helping Dreamers renew their DACA and apply for other immigration relief that is available to them. Call us at 714-624-5632 for help in renewing your DACA or to schedule a free consultation to explore your options.