Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Information

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA LEER EN ESPAÑOL

Last updated: September 2026

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration initiative that allows immigrants who arrived in the United States before age 16 and grew up in this country to seek temporary protection from deportation and obtain work authorization.

DACA was established in 2012 through an executive order by the Obama administration. It was meant as a temporary relief for young immigrants in response to inaction from Congress in addressing the complex and broken immigration system. More than a decade later, Congress has still failed to act, even though DACA does not provide permanent legal status or a pathway to citizenship.

Because it is not enshrined in law through Congress, DACA remains tenuous; anti-immigrant activists and organizations have relentlessly attacked the DACA program since its inception. These attacks mean DACA recipients continue to face legal challenges, causing uncertainty and fear for them and their families.

DACA recipients are often referred to as DREAMers because of the DREAM Act, a bill that Congress has failed to pass since 2001 despite having bipartisan support. The DREAM Act would have enshrined DACA into federal immigration law.

The ACLU of Idaho strongly supports a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and immigrant youth because they deserve permanency and stability as they contribute to our communities and society. It is up to Congress to act.