By executive order, President Obama initiated the DREAM Act on June 15, 2012, to allow students who were brought to the United States by their parents before the age of 16 to seek legal status. On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that DACA would end effective March 5, 2018. On January 9, 2018, however, the federal district court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction and ordered USCIS to continue DACA. While this process is currently in turmoil pending litigation and/or Congressional action, it remains a viable option for many individuals.
Who Qualifies for Deferred Action Under DACA?
If you are a parent living in Harrisburg or another community in Central Pennsylvania and you have a minor-aged child who qualifies for Deferred Action status, talk to our family immigration lawyers at Tanner Law Offices, LLC, in Camp Hill. We will work with you to help your child get the legal status to which he or she is entitled.
How Long Will Legal Status Be Extended?
Deferred Action and employment authorization will be valid for two (2) years.
To qualify, you must:
- Have entered the United States, with or without documents, before your 16th birthday
- Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
- Have entered the United States, with or without documents, before June 15, 2012, and must continue to reside in the United States without any significant departures from the United States since that time
- Continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, to the present
- Have also been physically present in the United States on June 15, 201,2, and at the time of filing your DACA application
- Either be currently enrolled in school or graduated from a U.S. public or private elementary, middle, or high school, or in an education, literacy, or career training program, including a vocational program or GED program, or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard or U.S. Armed Forces
- Not have a felony conviction, significant misdemeanor conviction, three or more misdemeanors, or pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety.
Legal Support for DACA Applicants and Families
Call us at 717-731-8114 to determine whether or not you may be able to qualify for and benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Dreamers). You may also contact us online with a brief explanation of your family’s circumstances.
Update on the DREAM Act and DACA (2025)
In February 2025, Congress reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025, legislation that aims to provide a pathway to permanent residency for eligible individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and similar protections. While the proposal is still pending, it represents a significant effort to secure long-term stability for Dreamers and their families. Our family immigration lawyers continue to closely monitor federal policy developments to help clients understand how these changes may affect their eligibility and status.