Trump is ending DACA. What happens now?
After days of uncertainty, President Trump made it official Tuesday that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is being rescinded. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in an announcement that the program, which former President Barack Obama introduced via executive action in 2012 to protect individuals brought to the U.S. as children, was "unconstitutional."
The Department of Homeland Security will no longer accept new applications for DACA's renewable, two-year work permits. New applications that were received by Tuesday will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. DHS will also now stop issuing "advanced parole notices," which allowed DACA recipients to leave and re-enter the U.S., though those that were already issued will be honored.
For those already enrolled in DACA, renewal applications for those whose two-year work permits expire between now and March 5, 2018 will still be accepted, as long as they're submitted by Oct. 5. Those whose permits expire after March 5, 2018, will be allowed to continue working until their two-year period is up.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump emphasized in a statement that with the end of DACA, the administration's "enforcement priorities remain unchanged." "We are focused on criminals, security threats, recent border-crossers, visa overstays, and repeat violators. I have advised the Department of Homeland Security that DACA recipients are not enforcement priorities unless they are criminals, are involved in criminal activity, or are members of a gang," Trump said in a statement. However, The New York Times' Vivian Yee noted that while DACA holders may not be directly targeted, they will "be treated like anyone else in the country illegally — putting them at risk of deportation under Trump."
Now that the announcement has been made, the Trump administration will offer "a partial delay to give Congress a chance to address the issue," The Washington Post reported. It's not clear what the Trump administration's plan is if Congress doesn't pass immigration legislation within six months.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published