A recently published survey has found that many Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have not yet renewed, despite federal court decisions that have opened a window for renewal. The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is urging DACA recipients to seek legal consultation to consider filing for renewal.
Most recently, on August 31, 2018, Federal Judge Andrew Hanen in the Southern District of Texas denied Texas and other states’ attempts to place an injunction on the DACA program. Judge Hanen’s ruling means that current and former DACA recipients can continue renewing their status as usual.
Instructions for potential applicants can be found here. The order to reopen the entire DACA program has been put on hold while appeals continue. It is important to note that only individuals who have or have had DACA in the past are eligible to apply at this moment: no initial applications will be accepted.
In addition, the rules for how to submit applications are different depending on when a person’s DACA status has expired or will expire in the future. For more information, applicants are encouraged to review the instructions published by USCIS and detailed guidance provided by the National Immigration Law Center and United We Dream, and to consult with an attorney if possible.
Individuals considering renewal can also seek legal consultation by calling the Office of New Americans (ONA) hotline (1-800-566-7636).
If and when there are changes to this guidance, this page will be updated.
