Please note this information was compiled and published in July 2022.
Please note this information was compiled and published in July 2022.
“The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was initiated by former President Obama on June 15, 2012. The program protects certain undocumented persons who were brought to the United States as children from deportation. Additionally, persons who qualify for DACA can get work permits and, in some cases, international travel permits” (Carl Shusterman).
What is DACA?
You may request DACA if you:
Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012, meaning that:
You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or
Any lawful immigration status or parole that you obtained prior to June 15, 2012, had expired as of June 15, 2012;
Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Requirements
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View the recording of my presentation for an expert-reviewed explanation of the current status of DACA in 2022.
What Is DACA? And Where Does It Stand Now? The New York Times
Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the DACA Court Hearing United We Dream
What is the current state of the DACA program? National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
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Each state runs part of the health care program Medicaid. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program that provides medical services to low-income people at little or no cost. It is administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). If you qualify and apply, Medi-Cal can help you pay for doctor’s visits, medication, dental screenings, rehabilitation, surgery, visits to the hospital and more. As of May 1, 2016, California’s undocumented low-income children (under the age of 19) have access to full coverage through Medi-Cal (Health for California).
Do You Qualify for Medi-Cal Benefits? California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Free CA Health Insurance Quotes: Apply for Medi-Cal Health for California
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The Safe and Responsible Drive Act (AB 60) came into effect on January 2, 2015, and allows all eligible Californians to apply for a driver’s license, regardless of immigration status (ACLU of Southern California).
AB 60 Driver’s License Frequently Asked Questions Immigrant Legal Resource Center
AB 60 Checklist Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
AB 60 User-friendly Guide to Document Options to Obtain a California Driver’s License Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV, available in multiple languages)
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Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) - Affordable and Accessible Housing Registry
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Scholarships and fellowships are available for undocumented students to help them reach their goal of pursuing higher education, no matter their immigration status. Links to lists of scholarships that don’t require proof of US citizenship.
Immigrants Rising (over 100 scholarships and fellowships!)
University of California Undocumented Student Resources (see “Private scholarships”)
Other places to look: school counselor offices, online scholarship databases, organizations specializing in immigration, and university-specific websites. Federal aid is not available for undocumented students, but aid programs exist in certain states.
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Carl Shusterman: Immigration Lawyer Carl Shusterman has over 40 years of experience. He served as an attorney for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from 1976 until 1982, when he entered private practice. Mr. Shusterman has represented clients, both corporate and individual, across the United States and around the world. He has spoken at immigration conferences in over a dozen states and in Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia and Europe.
Ahri for Justice: We provide in-language direct legal services and community education to low-income, monolingual community members and their families. We focus on assisting survivors of domestic violence, at-risk youth, low-income, and undocumented individuals in Southern California.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved – leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Every year, LAFLA provides free, high-quality legal services to more than 100,000 people living in poverty across Greater Los Angeles. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the front lines in vulnerable communities, and at the forefront of change.
Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project is a project of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. Over the past 15 years, Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project has become one of the leading immigration-focused public interest organizations in the country.
Immigration Advocates Network National Immigration Legal Services Directory: Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory.
California State University Legal Support Services: Direct immigration legal services are available free of charge to CSU students and employees. Attorneys and paralegals are available to assist students with general consultations, DACA renewals and general assistance in filling out forms such as family-based petitions.
List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers US Department of Justice
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Links to resources that serve as digital immigration encyclopedias, with information from the latest news on DACA to how to renew one’s application.
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Stay informed
Talk about DACA with others—spread awareness and keep it in the public conversation!
If interested, contact your US Congress Member and/or sign petitions such as this one from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC)