Immigrant and Refugee Research and Resources Guide

DACA - or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

What is DACA?

DACA - or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - is a program that helps undocumented young people (who meet certain requirements) gain temporary immigration protections, including a work permit and protection from deportation. ~ Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

Helpful Websites

Helpful Articles

Image source: "Protesters in San Francisco, September 5, 2017" by Pax Ahimsa Gethen is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

DACA Eligibility

Please be aware that rulings about DACA can have significant impacts on processing and eligibility. Please consult updated information on the DACA Litigation Information and Frequently Asked Questions page linked below.

Guidelines from Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) website as of November 2023. Subject to change. See the site, linked below, for updated information.

You may request DACA if you:

A request for DACA may be granted only if USCIS determines in its sole discretion that you meet each of the following threshold criteria and merit a favorable exercise of discretion:

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981);
2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the time of filing your request for DACA;
4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your request for DACA with USCIS;
5. Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your request for DACA, 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 had expired as of June 15, 2012, and
   • Any lawful status that you had after June 15, 2012, expired or otherwise terminated before you submitted your request for DACA;
6. Are currently enrolled 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 United States Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States; and
7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor (that is, a misdemeanor as described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

8. Anyone requesting DACA must have been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (this means you must have been born on or after June 16, 1981).

See more information from the DACA site, and information about litigation, linked below:

DACA Legal Assistance

Washington State Courts' General Rule 24

Washington State Courts' General Rule 24, provides a legal definition for Practice of Law, including defining what constitutes legal advice. The following is an Exception Clause. This is an important clause to know about if you are questioned about providing general information about law or rights under the U.S. Constitution to members of the public.

(d) General Information: Nothing in this rule shall affect the ability of a person or entity to provide information of a general nature about the law and legal procedures to members of the public.