Update on DACA

On September 5, 2017 the Trump administration announced the decision to wind down the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

You can read accounts from The New York Times and CNN, as well as, President Dietz’ statement reiterating the University’s commitment to be a welcoming and inclusive campus.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memorandum regarding rescission of the Executive Order that grounded DACA. The memo provides legal context from DHS’ perspective as well as some specific statements about how applications under DACA will be handled starting today. Some key points are summarized below.

  • DACA initial requests filed as of 9/5/2017 (and associated applications for Employment) that are currently pending will be adjudicated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  • Current DACA grants of approvals will remain in effect until their current expiration date.
  • Individuals that have DACA approvals that expire between now and March 5, 2018, can apply for a 2 year renewal, so long as their applications are accepted by DHS by October 5, 2017.
  • DHS will not accept future Form I-131 applications (application for travel/re-entry permit). Pending requests for Form I-131 will be administratively closed.
  • Immigration officials retain discretionary authority to terminate or deny deferred action when appropriate.

Read the the full text of the memorandum

Additional information can be found on these sites:

DACA/Employment Permits

A current DACA work permit (Employment Authorization Documents) is needed to work. All DACA work permits will remain valid until they expire.

DACA/International Travel

If you are a DACA recipient, you should weigh the benefits and risks of international travel carefully as border agents have wide discretion in determining the admissibility of any person presenting at the border.

Permission to travel internationally (advance parole travel for DACA recipients) is no longer available. If you have a previously approved DACA advance parole application, it will remain valid until it expires. If you have a current DACA permit, and you leave the country with no approved advance parole application, your ability to re-enter the United States at a point of entry may be denied.

If any member of the University community has planned or scheduled international travel (study abroad, research, alt-spring break, service trips) that could be impacted by the new DACA restrictions, we advise you to consult with the sponsoring University department immediately or contact Ani Yazedjian, Associate Provost, at ayazedj@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-7018 for further information or referral. The University is monitoring developments closely and will post further information on this site as it becomes available.

February 10, 2020 Update

Lawsuits were filed in multiple federal courts challenging this decision. As part of the litigation, courts issued injunctions requiring the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to continue to process DACA renewal applications. No new applications for DACA status were accepted after the decision was made. On June 28, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the DACA court cases. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the cases on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 and a decision is expected to be released by the Court in June 2020.