On September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration announced an end to the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. This means that if you already have DACA, your work permit will continue to be valid until its expiration date. Given the current situation, this list FAQs has been created to help provide information and recommendations that may help you decide what to do with respect to your DACA status.
NOTE: The recent decision of the administration to end DACA has caused important new recommendations and advice on DACA by trusted organizations engaged in advocacy for undocumented students. Please see this community advisory (12/7/2020) from the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and this from weareheretostay.org 9/14/17
On June 15, 2012, the Obama Administration announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of 2 years, subject to renewal, and would then be eligible for work authorization.
Deferred action means that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agrees not to start deportation proceedings against an individual. If an individual is currently in the process of deportation, DHS agrees to drop their demand for deportation. This policy is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
Once deferred action is granted, people may seek employment authorization, but it does not grant any kind of permanent residence, citizenship status, or amnesty. Also, until an individual is granted deferred action, DHS may initiate deportation proceedings at any point of the application process.
You may qualify for DACA if you:
- Are under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2015;
- Came to the United State before reaching your 16th birthday;
- Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2015 to present;
- Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
- Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a state-recognized high school equivalency certificate, or are an honorable discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States and
- Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
DACA In-State
Students who have DACA status may qualify for state financial aid by completing the Washington Application for State Financial Aid if they meet the following Washington State Residency requirements:
State Financial Aid Available
DACA Out-of-State
Currently, there isn’t federal or state financial aid available for out of state DACA students. There are however many scholarship opportunities, many of which can be found below by clicking on the links.
Aid Available
- Scholarship Search Engine
- WSU General Scholarship Application
- Due to recent FAFSA application delays, the scholarship deadline has been extended to May 1.
For more information on obtaining residency status.
DACA Renewal
USCIS strongly encourages DACA recipients to submit their DACA renewal requests between 120-150 days before the expiration date located on the student’s current Form I-797 DACA approval notice and Employment Authorization Document (EAD). By doing so it will minimize the possibility of an expired DACA before the student receives a decision on their renewal request.
For more information on DACA at WSU please Click Here.