We recognize this is a tumultuous time for many of us and that this impending decision weighs especially heavily on our DACAmented students and employees, other undocumented students, students from mixed-status families, and their allies. We see you, and we are committed to ensuring your success at Cal Poly despite these challenges.

Updated: July 29, 2020 - 07:19 a.m.

DHS Submitted a New Memorandum on DACA 

The memorandum states:

• Current DACA recipients can continue to apply to renew their DACA. Renewal period has been shortened to 1 year while the renewal fee remains $495.

• New DACA applicants USCIS will not accept any initial DACA applications. Any initial applications and fees that have been submitted will be rejected and returned. 

• Advance Parole applications will be rejected unless there are "exceptional circumstances". Any pending applications and fees will be rejected and returned.

DACA status is not connected in any way to admission, enrollment, or qualification for financial aid via the California Dream Act. California’s in-state tuition policy which provides qualified undocumented students with in-state tuition and access to state-funded financial aid is not impacted.

*FYI: DACA opinions are titled: DEPT. OF HOMELAND, ET AL. V. REGENTS OF UNIV. OF CA, ET AL. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF U.S., ET AL. V. NAACP, ET AL

DACA OVERVIEW AND THE SUPREME COURT DECISION

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was announced by the Obama administration on June 15, 2012 to provide protection from deportation and a work permit to certain eligible young immigrants for a two-year period, subject to renewal. Nearly 800,000 people have been granted deferred action through the DACA program since its inception. While deferred action granted many benefits through the program, one of the most important is a two-year work permit.

On September 5, 2017, the Trump administration announced the termination of the program which resulted in multiple lawsuits challenging the program’s termination. Several courts hearing these lawsuits ordered U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to continue accepting and processing renewal applications while the cases challenging the program’s termination are pending. 

Current status of DACA:

• In 2017, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security rescinded DACA, which led to a number of lawsuits across the country challenging the action which reinstated limited DACA measures.  The Fourth and the Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal, along with a number of district courts, have ruled that the decision to rescind DACA was “arbitrary and capricious,” and therefore unlawful. The Ninth Circuit also upheld a nationwide preliminary injunction halting the repeal of DACA. The government has petitioned the Supreme Court to grant certiorari to hear the case but, as of yet, the Court has not made a determination, although their decision is imminent.  

• USCIS is only accepting initial DACA requests from individuals who previously received DACA and whose DACA expired before Sept. 5, 2016, or whose most recent DACA grant was previously terminated.

• For individuals who had previously been granted DACA status (including a work permit): DACA status has remained valid and these individuals have been eligible to renew. 

• USCIS Stopped accepting first-time DACA applications (that is, applications from people who didn’t already have DACA) as of October 6, 2017.

The Supreme Court in November 2019 heard oral arguments regarding the Trump administration’s attempt to end the DACA policy. Issues: (1) Whether the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy is judicially reviewable; and (2) whether DHS’s decision to wind down the DACA policy is lawful.

There is a strong likelihood that DACA’s rescindment will be affirmed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's conservative majority signaled in November 2019 their likely decision will end the DACA program. It is anticipated that the Court will likely issue its decision sometime between now and June 2020, with a likelihood of an early spring announcement. The justices could potentially declare that any program like DACA is unlawful, and therefore beyond the power of any future president, however there are several possible outcomes. 

THE NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER HAS IDENTIFIED THREE POSSIBLE SCOTUS DECISION OUTCOMES:  

1. The Supreme Court could decide that it was unlawful for the Trump administration to terminate DACA. Therefore, renewals can continue, new applications will be accepted and recipients can also apply for advance parole which means DACA recipients can travel outside the country. 

or

2. The Supreme Court could rule that they cannot review the administration's decision to terminate DACA. This would mean the courts have no jurisdiction. DACA renewals would no longer be accepted and DACA would expire at the end of the two-year work permit. However, a future administration can choose to reinstate DACA.

or

3. The Supreme Court could rule that the Trump administration’s decision was lawful, and it is up to the Trump administration to decide how they will move forward.

Although the exact timing is difficult to predict, there is urgency to prepare in advance, a plan of action and campus response. This plan of action should encompass all populations of DACA recipients on college campuses, including both undocumented DACA students and undocumented DACA employees. 

DACA RESOURCES

HEALING AND WELLNESS RESOURCES

ADVOCACY GROUPS