
-
BlogOn August 24, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program after soliciting feedback through a notice of proposed rulemaking in September 2021.DHS issues final rule on DACA
-
Blog
DHS issues final rule on DACA
On August 24, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program after soliciting feedback through a notice of proposed rulemaking in September 2021. The rule will take effect on October 31, 2022. Until then, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue processing DACA renewal applications according to the terms of the 2012 DACA policy. However, a current injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas continues to block USCIS from granting any new applications for DACA.
The DACA policy, enacted in 2012, protects certain eligible noncitizens who arrived in the United States as children, and allows them an opportunity to access a renewable, two-year work permit. This July, counties incorporated permanent language into the American County Platform to support “legislation that, without imposing costs on counties, would allow certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country as children and/or for humanitarian reasons to attain legal status if they pass background checks, demonstrate good moral character and meet education requirements.”
The final rule codifies provisions within DACA:
- Maintains the existing criteria for individuals eligible for the DACA program
- Retains the existing process for DACA requestors to seek work authorization
- Affirms the longstanding policy that DACA is not a form of lawful status but that DACA recipients, like other deferred action recipients, are considered “lawfully present” for certain purposes
While the final rule codifies a few provisions of the existing DACA policy, broader changes to the DACA program – such as expanding individuals who are eligible to become citizens – will require legislative action.
NACo will continue to monitor and keep members apprised of any updates with DACA.
On August 24, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program after soliciting feedback through a notice of proposed rulemaking in September 2021.2022-09-08Blog2022-09-08
On August 24, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program after soliciting feedback through a notice of proposed rulemaking in September 2021. The rule will take effect on October 31, 2022. Until then, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue processing DACA renewal applications according to the terms of the 2012 DACA policy. However, a current injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas continues to block USCIS from granting any new applications for DACA.
The DACA policy, enacted in 2012, protects certain eligible noncitizens who arrived in the United States as children, and allows them an opportunity to access a renewable, two-year work permit. This July, counties incorporated permanent language into the American County Platform to support “legislation that, without imposing costs on counties, would allow certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country as children and/or for humanitarian reasons to attain legal status if they pass background checks, demonstrate good moral character and meet education requirements.”
The final rule codifies provisions within DACA:
- Maintains the existing criteria for individuals eligible for the DACA program
- Retains the existing process for DACA requestors to seek work authorization
- Affirms the longstanding policy that DACA is not a form of lawful status but that DACA recipients, like other deferred action recipients, are considered “lawfully present” for certain purposes
While the final rule codifies a few provisions of the existing DACA policy, broader changes to the DACA program – such as expanding individuals who are eligible to become citizens – will require legislative action.
NACo will continue to monitor and keep members apprised of any updates with DACA.

-
Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
Webinar
New Options to Combat Summer Hunger: What Counties Need to Know
Sep. 21, 2023 , 1:00 pmSummer hunger impacts too many children when they lose access to nutritious school meals. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms. -
County News
‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’
“It’s not that hard to treat,” Pinsky said of the mental health crisis. “We just need the resources, we need the beds, we need the psychiatrists.” -
County News
Two-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreat
Clark County, Nevada youths now have access to a new 4-H camp in neighboring Lincoln County, which will retain jobs it would have lost when a corporate retreat center closed. -
County News
County’s mobile market closes the grocery desert gap
Gwinnett County, Ga. teamed up with a food bank to create a mobile community market to alleviate food insecurity, which had increased during the pandemic.
-
Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
-
Legislative Associate(203) 402-9494
Related Posts
-
BlogThe County Countdown – September 26, 2023Sep. 25, 2023
-
County News‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’Aug. 24, 2023
-
County NewsTwo-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreatAug. 21, 2023
Related Resources
-
Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Sep. 20, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role in Food SystemsJul. 14, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe County Human Services and Education LandscapeJul. 7, 2023
More From
-
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
Learn More