This is how the Trump administration is reportedly going to 'phase out' DACA
President Trump is preparing to "phase out" Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, an Obama-era program that grants work permits to young immigrants brought into America illegally as children, and currently benefits roughly 800,000 "DREAMers," ABC News reports.
Ahead of the official announcement from the White House, ABC News writes that the administration reportedly "won't consider new applications for legal status dated after Sept. 5" but that "applications filed before Tuesday that are pending will continue to be processed." Additionally, "anyone who has a DACA permit expiring between now and March 5, 2018, can apply for a two-year renewal" and "some DREAMers, those with permits that expire between now and March 5, will be eligible for legal status for another two-plus years."
Trump reportedly turned to his aides for help on DACA after making promises on the campaign trail to eliminate the program. "Mr. Trump, exasperated, asked his aides for 'a way out' of a dilemma he created," The New York Times writes. Even many Republicans have signaled wanting a softer approach to DACA than Trump has indicated he is prepared to take.
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an immigration hardliner, will formally announce the DACA decision at 11 a.m. ET. He won't take questions after making the announcement. Read more about what the administration is expected to announce at ABC News.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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