Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a kind of administrative relief from deportation. The purpose of DACA is to protect eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children from deportation.
DACA gives young undocumented immigrants: 1) protection from deportation, and 2) a work permit. The program expires after two years, subject to renewal.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has resumed accepting requests to renew grants of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. USCIS is currently not accepting requests from individuals who have never before been granted deferred action under the DACA program. There is one lawsuit still pending that challenges the validity of the DACA program. However, our advice to our students are as follows:
- If you currently have DACA and your DACA status is set to expire within 9 months, you should apply to renew ASAP.
- If you had DACA previously but it expired or was terminated, you should consider applying for DACA.
- If you never had DACA in the past, you are not eligible to apply at this time.
Statements of Support from the WASHU Community
- Chancellor Wrighton letter to President Trump Urging Continuation of DACA(Sep 1, 2017)
- A global community of scholars: University affirms statement of principles (Feb 2, 2017)
- Chancellor Wrighton signs letter defending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Nov 21, 2016)
- Student Union president signs student leaders’ letter to Trump regarding DACA (Jan 16, 2017)
- Organizers push for WU to become a sanctuary campus following election (Student Life, Nov 21, 2016)
Student Stories
Luisa Castañeda-Cano
As of Spring 2018, Luisa Castañeda-Cano is a junior and a member of Chimes Junior Honorary, Alpha Psi Lambda and the Association of Latin American Students. Luisa researches the intersection of Chicana feminism, reproductive health and immigration law.
Robert Sagastume
Clips from this interview was originally a part of a Fall 2017 capstone project for S31-4100: Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. As of Spring 2018, Robert Sagastume is a graduate student at the Brown School. Trigger warnings include discussion on sexual assault.
Contact
Dr. Jennifer Alanis, The Taylor Family Center for Student Success, or call 314-935-8118.