On December 9, 2016, a bipartisan bill authored by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) was introduced on the U.S. Senate floor which would maintain the protections of President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA.
Early review and analysis reveals that the bill would provide the more than 740,000 DACA recipients or “Dreamers” a new type of status described as “provisional protected presence” that would last for three years from enactment. The temporary protection from deportation would continue to be similar to that provided by DACA. Employment authorization would also be granted after recipients pay a fee, pass stringent background checks and other eligibility requirements already set under DACA.
This is a developing story and Jackson & Hertogs will continue to monitor for updates on this important development for immigrants and their families. Please contact our firm if you have questions regarding DACA and the impact of the 2016 election on U.S. immigration.
