IDAHO — On Monday, The ACLU of Idaho and Immigrant Justice Idaho hosted an education online effort about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA).
The purpose for “What's Going on With DACA now?” was to provide more insight on the program after a federal judge order the Trump Administration to fully restore the original program earlier this month.
“Fully restores means USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) must accept initial brand new never have DACA before, DACA request. This includes people say, who were eligible back then but didn’t have the money, couldn’t get the documents,” Maria Andrade with Immigrant Justice Idaho said.
The webinar provided information DACA eligibility, requirements and concerns Andrade hears from DACA recipients, specifically those that have a one-year card.
“If you got a card for only year under that interim, the policy that came after the Supreme Court decision. Those are supposed to be automatically extended for two more years," Andrade said.
ACLU of Idaho said they are working on community outreach to tell the stories of DACA recipients.
“What’s important with these campaigns is to highlight the human angle and what it means to have documents, what it means to have DACA, since June or staff member has been working with DACA recipients to highlight their stories. I’ll be honest its one of the most powerful efforts we have done to actually document and put at the forefront the stories of individuals that are directly impacted by the policies that we are working on.”
Both of these organizations also asked for city, county leaders, allies, other local organizations officials to help raise or allocate money to help individuals with the cost of filing fees.
Andrade said the cost deter many to apply for the program.
“If they’re eligible, it could be getting driver license, it could be getting work authorization and contributing the economy and contributing to helping those that can’t get those benefits. It's a benefit to all," Andrade said.
Andrade said in January, IJI will be providing 20 free DACA screenings only. If interested contact IJI by email @immigrantjusticeidaho.org or text 208-342-5103 with a full name and number.
The online event was also available in Spanish.
