As it stands, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program instituted during the Obama administration is set to expire on March 5, 2018.
With Senate Democrats’ failure to put a DACA bill on the table in the vote to reopen the federal government on January 22, 2018, many wonder how lawmakers on both sides plan to approach the fate of so-called Dreamers, or whether they will be able to reach an agreement by the time Dreamer protections are terminated in March.
Between now and February 8, 2018 (at which time the government is set to shut down once again), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has agreed to allow a vote on a bill that would institute specific protections for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. Various lawmakers have suggested protections and immigration policy ideas, but a bill is not yet on the table for debate.
The halls of Congress, however, aren’t the only places where national leaders are duking it out over immigration and protections for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. during childhood. In early January, a federal judge in California (U.S. District Judge William Alsup) opposed President Trump’s ruling to end DACA, ordering the administration to reinstate certain portions of DACA and willingly receive applications for renewal of protections.
On January 23, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a statement confirming that it would soon decide whether or not to hear the presidential administration’s appeal to Judge Alsup’s case, which has further complicated the termination of DACA. It remains to be seen what impact this may have on the renewal or phase-out of DACA protections.
While there is much in the news regarding potential compromise, various aspects of proposed immigration policies, and whether DACA protections will be renewed, lawmakers have yet to come to a conclusive solution.
If You Are a DACA Recipient, We Are Here to Serve You
If you were brought to the United States as a child, you may have received specific protections under the Obama-era deferred action program. However, those rights and protections may be in jeopardy now or in the near future. While it remains to be seen exactly what will come of legislative efforts and negotiations between lawmakers, protections are still set to expire on March 5, 2018. If you are concerned for your present or future wellbeing as a protected immigrant, we are here to serve you.
At Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. L.P.A. we have more than 50 years of collective experience and are committed to helping you in any way possible. We are prepared to help you work evaluate your options and toward the best solution available, regardless of your current status or the seemingly ever-changing immigration laws.
Let us help. Call us at (888) 491-8770 or contact us to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced immigration lawyers in Cleveland and Twinsburg.
