On his first day in the Oval Office, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. issued a memorandum to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security. The subject of the memo was Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
In the document, President Biden explains the DACA guidance issued by the Obama-Biden Administration in 2012 and instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security to “take all actions he deems appropriate, consistent with applicable law, to preserve and fortify DACA.”
This instruction comes as a relief to many “Dreamers,” as former President Donald Trump spent much of his presidency trying to limit the program and even made efforts to end DACA completely.
The Original Memorandum
During the Obama-Biden Administration, the Secretary of Homeland Security issued a memorandum known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) guidance. Under this memo, the nation chose to limit its enforcement of immigration laws against certain young people.
DACA aimed to protect people who were brought to the United States as children, stayed in school or enlisted in the military, and obeyed the law from deportation. It also allowed them to apply for temporary work permits.
The memo did not change U.S. immigration laws but rather adjusted how they were enforced. By applying for temporary relief from removal and work permits, Dreamers were able to support themselves and their families and contribute to the national economy.
DACA cited humanitarian concerns and other considerations to justify the new priorities for enforcement.
Keeping Dreamers Safe
A memo about preserving and fortifying another memo may seem unnecessary, but the Trump Administration spent the last 4 years attempting to dismantle DACA. These failed efforts put far too much pressure on children and young adults seeking deferred action and pursuing a better life for themselves and their families.
Biden’s latest presidential action is a welcome relief to Dreamers and, fittingly, helps preserve the American dream for countless individuals who grew up in this country.
As long as you or your loved one meets the eligibility criteria, DACA remains available to protect you from deportation and allow you to work and live in the United States while you pursue citizenship.
Mathur Law Offices, P.C. can help you address all your questions and concerns about DACA and the immigration process.
We also encourage you to stay tuned to our blog, as the Biden-Harris Administration has announced its plan to create an achievable pathway to citizenship for many migrants.
Our firm has been helping people like you for more than 25 years, and we are ready to put our 100 years of combined experience to work in your case – call us at (888) 867-5191 or contact us online to request a free case evaluation and begin working towards your American dream.