Atlanta DACA Lawyer

DACA—or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals—is a policy instituted by the federal government that provides relief from deportation for certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as a child. This policy is designed to protect young individuals who came to this country through no fault of their own and who have called the U.S. home for most of their lives.

If you believe you are entitled to DACA status, a seasoned immigration attorney might be able to help. This status has been granted to more than 600,000 individuals since 2012, and that number is likely to grow. Let an Atlanta DACA lawyer advise you of your legal options regarding your immigration status.

What Does DACA Do?

When an undocumented person is granted DACA status, they receive something known as “prosecutorial discretion” in their immigration case. Normally, the government would have the ability to deport and remove an individual from the country if they were in the United States unlawfully. However, DACA prevents the government from pursuing these options for a limited period of time.

When a person is granted DACA status, they are considered to be lawfully present in the U.S. This status award lasts for two years, but extensions are also possible. Additionally, this status could be granted at any point in the process. For example, an immigrant who has already received final orders for removal from the United States could remain in the country if their application for DACA status is granted.

In addition to living in the United States, DACA status could also provide an immigrant with the right to seek employment. A work permit could authorize a person to not only obtain gainful employment in the country but also do so legally. There are other rights that come with DACA status that an Atlanta lawyer could explain in further detail.

What Is the Current State of the DACA Program?

The reality of immigration law is that policy is constantly changing. This is especially true following major political changes, like a presidential election or court decisions. Litigation is ongoing surrounding the future of DACA. However, the policy remains in place in many ways.

It is important to understand that current DACA recipients maintain their legal status in the United States. The two-year period still applies to their status, and it must be renewed after this period. Although courts have ordered a pause on some DACA applications, people who currently hold DACA status can seek renewal. The federal government continues to issue DACA renewals as they receive them.

However, challenge lies with new applicants for DACA protection. The court has ordered the government to stop processing new DACA applicants, but that has not prevented the government from actually accepting new applications.

All of this means that the way forward can be confusing for DACA recipients and other foreign nationals who hope to secure this status. Thankfully, there is no obligation to take on these challenges alone. An Atlanta attorney could provide answers to these difficult questions while guiding an immigrant through the DACA application process.

Call an Atlanta DACA Attorney Today

If you are seeking DACA status, now is the time to talk to an attorney. Although there are legal challenges to this powerful program, it is still important to fully understand your options moving forward.

An Atlanta DACA lawyer could provide you with the legal guidance you need. Call right away for a confidential consultation.