As Deadline Looms, What's Going to Happen to DACA?

A couple of months after leaders of the Democratic Party struck a deal with President Trump to permanently protect individuals enrolled in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), there is still no answer as to what will happen with the program. After cancelling it in September, Trump gave Congress six months to act before its official end date on March 5, 2018.

While Republicans and Democrats are both for continuing DACA, their legislative vehicles for successfully reaching a compromise vary. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer’s White House deal would permanently enshrine the protections of DACA into law, while also adding border security (not a wall) in the fold. Democrats have also toyed with the idea of shutting down the government if the issue is unresolved, come the deadline.

According to Dave Brat, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, Republicans would consider voting in favor of DACA relief as part of a deal that includes efforts to discourage chain migration, an expansion of the E-Verify program and the elimination of the diversity visa program, also known as the green card lottery.

Leaders from both parties have put pressure on Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to table the debate before the end of the year, but compromise will be the biggest obstacle to tackle. For now, the fate of 800,000 young adult unauthorized immigrants who were brought into the U.S. as children will depend on Congress lawmakers making a bipartisan decision.

If you have been previously granted a DACA benefit and have questions about your status, contact our Lakes Charles immigration attorneys at Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. If you set up an initial consultation, we can help you determine if you qualify for other benefits now that DACA is currently in limbo.