Dear Friends,
The Tahirih Justice Center is disappointed by the Trump administration’s termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Under DACA, hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came to the United States as children and satisfied a number of stringent criteria were given employment authorization and temporary relief from deportation. DACA has been an important source of stability and protection for undocumented youth, including those facing or fleeing domestic and other violence. Young immigrants have been able to work and study because of DACA, leading to their greater independence and ability to find safety. In addition, DACA enabled recipients to have some security when calling 911 to access police and other emergency services when facing violence. Because of the DACA program, many were able to come out of the shadows and service providers like Tahirih were able to identify survivors of violence who qualify for other protection, such as the U visa, which would put them on a path to permanent residence.
In the face of this devastating blow to the safety and well-being of young immigrants from around the world, Tahirih calls on Congress to act swiftly and in a bipartisan manner to pass a law that will make the protections of DACA a longer term reality.
With gratitude for your partnership,
Layli Miller-Muro
CEO and Founder
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.
