Support for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) was implemented through an Executive Order by President Obama on June 15, 2012. It serves as a temporary solution after many years of advocacy for some type of immigration relief for children who were brought to the US by their parents through no fault of their own. Although the immigration status for these students has not been able to be changed, DACA has been a tremendous benefit to allow students to obtain a two-year work permit so they can work which can help pay for their education expenses since they do not qualify for any state or federal financial assistance.

University President, Dr. Tim Faltyn stated, “As I look forward to the future, one of the things that come to mind is our students and how many barriers they have to break through daily to achieve their goals. When you see the positive, transformative power that education can have on an individual’s life, as well as the generations that come after that person, the way we do every day here on our campus, you want everyone to have that opportunity. We want our current and future DACA students to know that we stand with you.”

The Executive Order was rescinded in September 2017 for any initial applications, although the two year renewals were still allowed. Due to a recent court order, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has begun once again to administer the DACA program under the previous guidelines. DHS is now granting approved applicants work permits and deportation deferrals to approved applicants that last for two years and allow DACA-holders to request permission to travel abroad under certain circumstances.

To be eligible for DACA, applicants must have arrived to the U.S. before they were 16, lived in the country since at least 2007 and earned a high school diploma, a GED or served honorably in the military. Immigrants with serious criminal records, including any felonies, are ineligible for DACA.

For University resource assistance, Teri Mora can be reached at tmora@opsu.edu.