The current administration has made attempts to end a program providing certain young immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children protection against being deported and offer them the chance to work legally in our country. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program put in place by President Obama has benefited hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants that have come to be known as “DREAMers,” or Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors. Among the acts President-Elect Joe Biden has pledged on his first day in office is fully reinstate DACA to give peace and comfort to those youngsters and their families.
If you or a loved one is affected by DACA or any other immigration legislation, attorney Eric Price can help. He has spent years addressing immigrants’ concerns and has dedicated a long, successful career to the needs of those looking to remain in the United States. Call 855-662-2772 or email info@abogadoericprice.com today to schedule a free case evaluation.
DACA In The Trump Era
From the moment he rode down the escalator to announce his run for the presidency, Donald Trump made it clear that immigration would be a priority of his administration and that he had DREAMers in his sights. After the 2016 presidential election put the former reality television star in the White House, his administration stated that it would put an end to the DACA program.
The first attempt came in 2017 when Trump gave Congress six months to “legalize DACA,” or the program would be phased out. The Supreme Court ruled that the president had acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” to end the program, saying the DACA decision was to be vacated. However, the highest court in the land did leave open the possibility for a repeal of DACA in the future if a reasoned explanation was presented and followed notice and comment procedures.
The administration further said it would not be accepting new applications for DACA and was limiting renewals to one year instead of two, which would double the application costs.
Joe Biden’s Plan For DACA and Immigration Reform
The Joe Biden immigration policy will begin with an executive order reinstating DACA immediately upon taking office on January 20, 2021. The incoming administration has also pledged to make DACA recipients eligible for student loans and Pell Grants. It will propose to make two years of community college tuition-free for DREAMers.
Biden also plans on ordering an immediate review of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for vulnerable populations fleeing their home countries that are being ravaged by war or devastating natural disasters. The current administration sought to rescind protections for hundreds of thousands of people looking for a safe haven in the U.S. from violence in their own countries.
Under Biden’s plan, immigrants that fall under the TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) will be protected from being forced to return to unsafe countries by offering more time to live out the American dream and a path to U.S. citizenship.
Who Will Be Affected?
Reinstating the DACA program will provide immediate relief and comfort to hundreds of thousands of young immigrants and their families that have been fearful they would be returned to a country they know nothing about and have never even visited. To qualify for DACA, undocumented immigrants must have arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16, were younger than 31 years old when the program began, and are enrolled in a GED program or have already completed high school.
The DACA program allows hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to search for financial and social stability in the United States. It opens doors, makes them feel like they belong, and guides them towards a path to success and happiness. Those enrolled in DACA can get a social security card, secure a job with health benefits, and have the chance to build up credit and apply for a credit card.
Undoing the damage left behind by the current administration will allow Biden and the new White House staff to provide hope and opportunity for younger immigrants who were brought to this country at a very young age without their knowledge or consent.
Obstacles To Overcome?
President-Elect Biden and his team will have major obstacles to overcome when rolling back the current administration’s immigration policies and reinstating DACA. The former senator and vice-president will need to get approval from Congress, making the process of reforming immigration a difficult challenge.
The outcome of two runoff elections in Georgia will determine control of the U.S. Senate and dictate the struggles ahead for Biden to reinstate DACA for the hundreds of thousands of affected immigrants. If the Republicans maintain a Senate majority, the new president will face a long, uphill battle to afford protections for DREAMers.
What Are The Next Steps?
Reinstatement of the DACA program would offer relief to applicants looking to stay and work in the U.S. The best thing a DREAMer and those who qualify for DACA benefits can do for Joe Biden reinstate DACA is to surround yourself with trusted family and resources to support your efforts. Keep up to date on any changes and updated DACA reform news, and know your rights as you proceed throughout the process.
Contact Attorney Eric Price Today!
Immigration attorney Eric Price has devoted his legal career to providing valuable support and services for immigrants wishing to remain living and working in the United States. Experience as an ICE prosecutor under the Bush and Obama administrations left him with an in-depth understanding and comprehensive knowledge of the court system and respect for the concerns of immigrants of all ages and nations of origin.
If you or a loved one need information or representation during these changing times, call 855-662-2772 or email Eric Price at info@abogadoericprice.com today to have all of your questions answered and to schedule a free evaluation of your case.
