DACA

DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a U.S. immigration program established in 2012 that temporarily shields eligible young undocumented immigrants from deportation and grants them work authorization. To qualify, individuals must have arrived in the U.S. as children, meet age and education requirements, and have no serious criminal history. DACA does not provide permanent legal status or a pathway to citizenship, but it allows recipients to work legally and access certain benefits. The program aims to recognize their contributions and provide temporary relief while policymakers debate broader immigration reforms.