HOUSTON, Texas– The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has resumed accepting first-time applications across the United States following a federal court ruling, ending a nearly four-year pause on new applications.
However, a key limitation applies to applicants from Texas: while these individuals will be protected from deportation, they will not be eligible for work permits. Applicants from other states can still obtain work permits.
As of Friday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has not issued any new guidance regarding the processing of applications, and their website continues to display a notice that new applications are not being processed, leaving potential applicants uncertain.
Bruna Sollod, senior political director at United We Dream, recognized the historical significance of the ruling, but cautioned applicants to remain vigilant, as legal challenges, particularly from the previous Trump administration, remain a possibility.
The DACA program, established in 2012, protects eligible undocumented immigrants who arrived as children from deportation and allows them to work legally in the U.S.
Despite the program’s reopening, advocacy groups like United We Dream urge potential applicants to be aware of ongoing legal challenges.
Yolanda Batz, a 23-year-old nursing graduate from the University of Houston, is one of those affected by the ruling.
She applied for DACA in 2020, after the program was revived following an attempt by the Trump administration to terminate it in 2017.
However, a lawsuit in Texas halted the program again in 2021, delaying her application. Batz expressed disappointment that new applicants from Texas are not eligible for work permits.
Although she holds a nursing degree, she cannot work in her field and is instead employed as a server at a restaurant while volunteering to teach English with a nonprofit organization.
Batz is part of the approximately 577,000 people in the Houston area who live without legal status or temporary protection from deportation.
She stresses the importance of work permits, noting that they are essential for both personal and professional development.
Local officials, including Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, argue that providing work permits for undocumented individuals could benefit the local economy.
Garcia emphasized that this population could contribute more significantly if they were allowed to work legally.
Batz plans to consult with her attorney for advice, which advocates recommend for those considering DACA applications.
Despite her challenges, she remains hopeful that she will be able to pursue a nursing career in the future.