Everything you need to know about the DACA program.

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A Story That Started with Hope

Imagine moving to the United States when you were little. You grow up here — going to school, playing with friends, and dreaming about your future. One day in high school, you decide to join the soccer team. You’re excited because it’s something you’ve always wanted to do. You start filling out the form, writing your name and birthday. Then you see a question asking for your Social Security number. You don’t have one. Suddenly, your dream stops right there. You find out your parents brought you to the country without papers, and now you can’t play sports. That’s the story behind DACA, a program built from hope and a fight for fairness. To give DACA recipients a little bit of hope.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is DACA?” or “How does DACA actually work?” — you’re in the right place. This guide from BorderWire.com, your trusted immigration news and resources website, breaks everything down in plain English.

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What Does DACA Stand For?

DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It’s an immigration program that began in 2012 under the Obama administration. The goal was to protect young people — often called Dreamers — from being deported if they were brought to the U.S. as children and met certain requirements.

DACA doesn’t give you permanent status or a green card, but it offers something incredibly valuable:

• Protection from deportation for two years at a time
• A work permit (Employment Authorization Document)
• The ability to apply for Advance Parole to travel abroad in some cases

Thousands of people have used the program to build stable lives — to go to college, work legally, and live without constant fear of deportation.

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Why DACA Was Created

Before DACA, there was no system for young people brought to the U.S. as children to fix their immigration status. Many were stuck — raised in the U.S., yet unable to work, drive, or continue education legally.

President Obama announced DACA in June 2012 through an executive action after years of gridlock in Congress over the DREAM Act, a bill that would have provided a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.

That’s why many people still mix up the two — DACA vs. the DREAM Act.

• DACA is a temporary protection program.
• The DREAM Act (which never passed) would have given permanent residency.

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Who Qualifies for DACA?

To qualify for DACA, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements set by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Here’s what’s needed:

• You were under 31 years old on June 15, 2012
• You came to the U.S. before your 16th birthday
• You have lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007
• You were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and when you applied
• You have no lawful immigration status as of that date
• You’re in school, graduated, earned a GED, or were honorably discharged from the military
• You have no serious criminal record

If you meet those, you can apply through the DACA application process, using Form I-821D, along with Form I-765 for your work permit.

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What DACA Does (and Doesn’t) Do

DACA provides:

• A renewable two-year protection from deportation
• Permission to work legally in the U.S.
• Access to certain benefits like a Social Security number and driver’s license (depending on your state)

But DACA does not:

• Offer permanent legal status
• Provide a pathway to citizenship
• Allow everyone to travel abroad freely (you need Advance Parole permission)

So while DACA gives security, it’s not a long-term fix. That’s why many Dreamers keep pushing for immigration reform.

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How to Apply or Renew DACA

If you already have DACA, you can renew every two years. Here’s a simple overview:

1. Gather documents: Proof of your identity, continuous residence, and education.
2. Complete the forms:
   • Form I-821D (DACA application)
   • Form I-765 (work permit)
   • Form I-765WS (worksheet)
3. Pay the fee: As of now, the DACA renewal fee is $495.
4. Mail your application to the correct USCIS service center.
5. Wait for a decision. Processing times can vary — usually a few months.

If you’re applying for the first time, new applications are currently paused due to court rulings. USCIS accepts them but can’t approve them until the legal challenges are resolved.

👉 You can always check the latest updates on our DACA News & Updates page.

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What Is Advance Parole for DACA?

Advance Parole is special travel permission for DACA recipients. It allows you to leave the U.S. for certain reasons — education, employment, or humanitarian needs — and return legally.

For example:

• Studying abroad for a semester
• Visiting a sick family member
• Attending a job training program overseas

It’s not automatic. You have to apply using Form I-131 and provide evidence of your travel purpose. For more, see our Advance Parole Guide.

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DACA Today: 2025 Updates

As of 2025, DACA remains active for renewals only, following a series of court rulings. The future of the program is still debated, but current recipients can continue renewing.

Key updates you should know:

• New applicants: USCIS can accept but not approve new first-time DACA requests.
• Renewals: Continue as usual. Submit your application 120–150 days before expiration.
• Advance Parole: Still available for approved DACA holders.
• Legal challenges: Ongoing cases could reach the Supreme Court again soon.

We cover these updates daily on BorderWire Immigration News, keeping you informed about any new DACA court decisions, policy changes, and USCIS announcements.

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The Benefits of DACA

Even though DACA doesn’t offer citizenship, it’s changed millions of lives. Here’s how:

• Work legally: You can get a Social Security number and apply for jobs.
• Go to school: Many states allow in-state tuition for DACA students.
• Get a driver’s license: In most states, DACA recipients qualify.
• Live without fear: You can stay in the U.S. legally during your DACA period.

These benefits give Dreamers a sense of stability — a chance to plan ahead, support families, and contribute to their communities.

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What Happens If DACA Ends?

This is the question that keeps many people up at night. If DACA were ever fully terminated, recipients could lose protection and work permits.

However, many legal experts believe there would be grace periods and alternative protections offered. Lawmakers continue to debate paths like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and new versions of the DREAM Act.

At BorderWire, we always publish verified updates on these discussions so you can prepare, not panic.

You can read our related guide: What Happens If DACA Ends?.

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Where DACA Fits in U.S. Immigration Policy

DACA sits at the intersection of compassion and law. It’s not amnesty, but it’s not punishment either. It’s a policy compromise — one that recognizes the lives of people raised in the U.S. who call this country home.

The US immigration system is complex, and DACA is just one part of it. Programs like TPS (Temporary Protected Status), asylum, and family visas all connect to the bigger picture of how the U.S. manages immigration.

If you want to learn more about these programs, check out our:

• TPS Explained
• Asylum Policy Updates
• Know Your Rights Guide

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How BorderWire Covers DACA

At BorderWire, we’re not just a news & media website — we’re a community resource.

Our mission is to make immigration updates simple and trustworthy. We track every DACA court ruling, USCIS policy memo, and official government update so you don’t have to dig through confusing documents.

We’re also an editorial website, which means we write honest opinion pieces, interviews, and real stories from DACA recipients and immigrant families. These stories remind us that behind every policy, there’s a person.

If you ever want to share your own experience, you can do that on our Share Your Immigration Story page.

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Quick Facts About DACA

• Launched: June 15, 2012
• Signed by: President Barack Obama
• Managed by: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Typical renewal time: 2 years
• Fee: $495
• Estimated active recipients: Around 580,000 (as of 2025)

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Where to Get Official Information

When it comes to immigration, rumors spread fast. Always check official government sites for updates:

• USCIS – DACA Information
• Department of Homeland Security

And for plain-language explanations and breaking news, bookmark BorderWire.com — your home for verified immigration news and DACA resources.

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Stay Connected

Want the latest on DACA and immigration policy?

• Subscribe to our Immigration Newsletter → borderwire.com/newsletter
• Sign up for DACA alerts → borderwire.com/alerts
• Follow us on social media to join the community and stay informed

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Final Thoughts

DACA began as a promise — to protect young people who call America home. More than a decade later, it still represents hope, resilience, and community.

At BorderWire, we’ll keep covering every update, every ruling, and every new chance for progress — because information is power, and everyone deserves to understand where they stand.

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See More

• DACA Updates
• Adavance Parole
• How to Apply for DACA?
• Know Your Rights
• What is TPS?
• What Happens if DACA Ends?
• Newsletter
• Share Your Story

Official Sites

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)