On September 5, 2017, the government announced that it will no longer accept applications for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) other than renewals for people whose work permits expire by March 5, 2018. Safe Passage Project is deeply saddened by the Administration’s decision to end new registrations for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA has benefitted our nation and the United States by allowing young people to come out of the shadows and to live and work without daily fear of immigration law enforcement due to a lack of immigration papers. All of the DACA recipients came to the United States before the age of 16.  Today the New York Attorney General and 16 other states joined in suing the federal government to stop the end of this program. The suit seeks privacy protection for the nearly 800,000 young people who have DACA benefits. This includes over 50,000 New York residents. The suit also argues that the abrupt ending of this program violates the Administrative Procedural Act and denies equal protection and due process protections.

Safe Passage Project meets immigrant youth every day who deserve opportunities to seek humanitarian protection guaranteed by U.S. statutes, treaties, and regulations. We are troubled by the Administration’s actions and stand ready to defend the rights of our clients with DACA status. We also move forward with the support of our hundreds of volunteers and our able staff. Please join us in asking Congress to take action to give youth more immigration protections. Consider donating today to enable us to further our mission that no child should face deportation alone.

Lawyers representing children with DACA for Safe Passage Project should contact their mentor attorney with additional questions.

The DHS memorandum on rescinding DACA is available at: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/09/05/memorandum-rescission-daca