February 21, 2017 Update: The Department of Homeland Security has issued several new guidelines which will significantly increase the enforcement of deportations of undocumented individuals who have committed crimes. These guidelines specific exclude DACA recipients and, in a Press Conference, the White House stated that DACA will remain intact for now. Any individual whose DACA status will expire in the next five months should consider filing an application for renewal as soon as possible. 

August 2017 Update: Although President Trump has allowed the DACA program to continue, several states have threatened a lawsuit to challenge the order, with a September 5th deadline for the President to end the program or face the lawsuit. CNN reports that advocacy groups are on “high alert” and working to find ways to save the program. 

September 1, 2017 Update: President Trump has stated that his decision about DACA would come “soon.” There remains significant support for the continuation of DACA, including statements from a growing number of Republican leaders. However, there is also substantial opposition and strong pressure on the President to sign an Executive Order which would end DACA. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as available. 

JMU continues to support all of our students and wants DACA students to know that we stand ready to do everything legally possible to support your continued enrollment at JMU. An informational session will be open to the public on Thursday, September 7, 4:30PM in SSC1075. Updated information will be provided and there will be ample time for questions and answers. Faculty, staff and students are all welcome.

September 5, 2017 Update: As you have no doubt heard, the Trump Administration today announced that the provisions of DACA are being rescinded, with a plan to phase out the program.  Effective immediately, new applications will no longer be accepted but renewals for those expiring within the next 6 months will be accepted until October 5, 2017. For more detailed information, view Summary of DACA Changes Announced 9/5/17.

FAQs from Department of Homeland Security

On September 6, 2017, 15 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the DACA Rescission, citing “racial animus” and violation of DACA recipients’ due process rights.  Virginia is one of the states which brought the lawsuit.  

View the DACA Rescission presentation from the September 7, 2017 Informational Session.

January 13, 2018 Update: USCIS resumes acceptance of DACA renewal applications. In response to a federal court order, USCIS has announced that they will resume acceptance of DACA renewal applications.  Since this is a District Court order which will certainly be appealed by the government, it is unclear exactly what will happen with those applications if this order is overturned by a higher court.  However, if you are  a DACA recipient whose EAD expires within the next 150 days, and you were not able to submit a renewal previously, you would be wise to consider submitting the application immediately. The Center for Global Engagement continues to be available for individual appointments should you have questions about this or any DACA-related issues.  

April 24, 2018 Update: Another federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration may not end the DACA program, and must begin to accept new applications for DACA. This ruling was stayed for 90 days, giving the government that amount of time to better explain its rationale for its actions. If the government fails to adequately persuade the judge that the decision was not “arbitrary and capricious,” then the government must begin accepting new applications for DACA at the end of the 90 days. Read the court order for more information. Note that renewal applications are currently being processed.  Therefore, if your DACA status is eligible for renewal, it is strongly recommended that you submit a renewal application as soon as possible. For more information about the process, please see the USCIS instructions. And, as always, if you have any questions about this, please contact the Center for Global Engagement for individual consultations.   

August 8, 2018 Update: A court case which is currently pending in Texas is expected to result in an opinion which is in direct contrast to other recent federal court rulings. Therefore, DACA advocates around the country are strongly encouraging current/prior DACA recipients to submit their renewals immediately. The advice is as follows: 

  • If your work permit expires within a year from now, you are strongly encouraged to renew your DACA right now. Today.
  • You do not have to wait to be within 120 days to renew.
  • You should renew even if your work permit has already expired.
  • DACA renewals could end by the end of THIS month.

Step-by-step guides to renew are available at:

 

Informational Resources

  • DACA/DAPA Fact Sheet: A helpful informational handout from the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Federal Government Resources
Advocacy and Legal Aid Organizations
For more information see:

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