On September 5, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security announced its initiation of the winding down of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program. In a widely-publicized move, the current administration ordered the termination of the DACA program. The Press Release associated with the announcement states that no new filings or associated applications will be acted on after today. Further information has been provided via DHS’s Memorandum on Rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, found at:

According to this Memo, USCIS will:

1. Issue decisions on properly filed DACA applications that had been accepted by DHS as of the date of this Memo.
2. Reject all DACA initial requests and associated applications for Employment Authorization documents filed after the date of this Memo.
3. Adjudicate properly filed pending DACA renewal requests and associated applications for Employment Authorization Documents filed after the date of this Memo and from current beneficiaries whose benefits will expire between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018, that have been accepted by DHS as of October 5, 2017.

Now, more than ever, we must mobilize as a country. While DHS has indicated in its Memo that it will not terminate the grants of previously issued DACA and associated Employment Authorization Document approvals for the remaining duration of their validity periods, this is a difficult time for many. Reach out to your elected officials and make your voice heard. We at Immigration Attorneys, LLP will not stop fighting for the DREAMER’s. Please call one of our offices if you have questions about what this announcement means for you, your loved ones, your neighbors, co-workers and friends.