The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, established in 2012, provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. It does not provide a pathway to citizenship. Eligibility requirements include having arrived in the U.S. before age 16, continuously residing in the country since June 15, 2007, and either being in school, having graduated, or having served in the military, among other criteria. Individuals granted DACA status are often referred to as “Dreamers.”
The future of the DACA program has been subject to considerable legal and political challenges, particularly during the Trump administration. Attempts were made to rescind the program, leading to legal battles that ultimately reached the Supreme Court. The program’s continuation provides stability for hundreds of thousands of individuals who have grown up in the U.S. and contribute to the economy. Its potential termination raises significant concerns about the impact on these individuals, their families, and the overall economy.
