As of Jan. 13, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA. In the wake of this decision, Esperanza Immigration Legal Services hosted a DACA Information Session and Renewal Clinic on Jan. 25, 2018, to help immigrants apply for renewal and provide information about DACA in a time when the future of the program is uncertain.
Seventeen people attended the event, and ten of them completed applications for DACA renewal. Additionally, the press generated by the Clinic attracted several other individuals to EILS seeking one-on-one DACA assistance.
“Despite uncertainty around the viability of DACA renewals under this injunction, the financial cost of the application, and the lingering possibility of more permanent relief for childhood arrivals, we still saw significant interest from DACA recipients to renew their status,” said Maria Thompson, the EILS Legal Coordinator who managed the Clinic. “This goes to show how important DACA is to the people who have it – the ability to work, come ‘out of the shadows,’ and remain in the communities they call home without fear of deportation is truly an invaluable protection.”
The DACA Information Session and Renewal Clinic was promoted and covered by Univision 65, Telemundo 62, and Al Dia News.
We are extremely grateful to our partners Ceiba and the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, as well as the numerous organizations in Philadelphia that helped us share this valuable community resource with their networks.
Help us assist more dreamers in need of reliable information! Your donation allows us to continue supporting immigrants through events like our DACA Information Session and Legal Clinic. Donate Today to Esperanza Immigration Legal Services!
