DAPA and DACA: Understanding Their Role in U.S. Immigration Policy

On an enthralling Los Angeles street in February 2015, banners hung as families gathered in a blaze of hope, but dimmed by the fear. These sentiments echoed the journey of DAPA and DACA, two related yet distinct U.S. immigration initiatives debated at the top levels of government as well as in communities across the nation.

Understanding DAPA: Hope for Parents

Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) was introduced in 2014. The policy was designed to protect parents who were not legally documented from deportation, if the children of those parents were U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The parents must have resided within the United States since 2010 and have not had any significant criminal convictions.

DAPA is not an assurance of green cards. Its primary promise was short-term relief, namely a three-year renewable work permit as well as protection from deportation. For thousands of families, it offered an escape from the day-to-day terrors, a small amount of comfort in an uncertain world.

DACA: Protecting Childhood Arrivals

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was introduced in 2012, was designed to protect youngsters who arrived in the U.S. before turning 16 and prior to the middle of 2007. The recipients who were eligible—often referred to as "Dreamers"—had to prove their continued residence with clean criminal records and school attendance or graduation or military service.

"DACA recipients embody the American spirit, contributing to local communities while facing lingering precarity in their legal status."

With DACA these youngsters were granted two-year renewal of work permits and some stability. In 2014 the program was temporarily extended, expanding eligibility requirements and removing age limits which made the policy more available to more potential Dreamers.

Eligibility: Who Qualified Under DAPA and DACA?

• DAPA: Parents without a legal document who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, in the United States since 2010 There are no felonies or serious misdemeanors and no record of serious security risks.
• DACA: immigrants who arrived prior to age 16 and prior to June 2007 with ongoing U.S. residence, educational or military achievements or similar clear criminal histories.

Legal Challenges and Current Status

While initially optimistic, both programs eventually encountered legal hurdles that grew. In June of 2016 the Supreme Court deadlocked on DAPA's legality, effectively stopping its implementation. In the meantime, DACA survived, but the ongoing litigation and changes in the political climate have made its future uncertain.

At present, new applications to both DAPA and DACA are being rescinded until new legal developments. The future of these programs continues to cause controversy among members of Congress and among families wishing for a resolution.

The Broader Impact of DAPA and DACA

At their core, DAPA and DACA represent more than just policy. They represent aspirations, dreams and the ongoing issue of the national identity. Many people seek out what the differences are between DAPA and DACA and are hoping for clarity in a confusing system.

As immigration reform continues to be a hot issue, DAPA and DACA stand as landmarks in America's ever-changing story. They show that at the heart of every discussion are actual people that are navigating their way through an ever-changing country.