A Year In: A Review of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program

August 2013 marked the one-year anniversary of the implementation of the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  The DACA initiative offers a two-year reprieve from deportation as well as work authorization for eligible unauthorized immigrants who entered the United States before the age of 16; meet length of residence, education, and other requirements; and were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012. The one-year anniversary on August 15 offered a timely moment to review the affected population and policy implications, particularly as Congress is considering legislation that would provide opportunities for some unauthorized immigrants to adjust their legal status. 

MPI experts discuss their latest findings on the characteristics of youth who have applied for relief, reflect on the policy’s success in reaching its target population, consider barriers that may prevent some unauthorized youth from taking advantage of the initiative, and compare DACA to legislative proposals currently being considered by Congress. The discussion includes a presentation of MPI’s issue brief that profiles the DACA population, both those currently eligible as well as those who could become so in the future.