BREAKING: Judge Delays Expansion of DACA Program

February 17, 2015

A ruling issued by Federal Judge Andrew Hannen will delay expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and could delay implementation of some of the new programs created by President Obama’s executive actions. Judge Hannen has issued this injunction based on what he considers to be the government’s failure to comply with the proper administrative procedures to put the Deferred Action programs into effect.

Until or unless the injunction is overturned, DHS will not be able to process applications from people who are only eligible under the expanded DACA program. All applicants who were already eligible under the existing DACA guidelines can continue to apply at any time. DHS was scheduled to begin accepted applications under the expanded guidelines tomorrow.

The Department of Justice is expected to request a stay of the ruling. If granted, DHS would be able to resume the expanded DACA program. The other programs affected by the ruling are still months away from implementation, so it is too early to know if they will be affected in any way by today’s ruling.

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TAGS: DACA, DAPA, Deportation, DHS, Obama, Obama administration, USCIS