NEW YORK, CMC – Immigration advocates in New York have expressed uncertainty about the future of the Caribbean and other “Dreamers,” even as a United States federal appeals court is allowing first-time Deferred Action for Early Childhood Arrival (DACA) applications to be processed across all 50 states.
Dreamers are undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants who came to the United States as children and have lived and been educated in the US, often referred to in connection with the DREAM Act and DACA program.
DACA provides work authorization and protection from deportation to certain Dreamers.
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella immigrant advocacy organization representing over 200 immigrant groups in New York, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that while the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday that first-time DACA applications can be processed across all 50 states, the Trump administration is yet to issue formal guidance on the issue.
“So, new applications are not yet being processed,” said NYIC President and Chief Executive Officer Murad Awawdeh.
“Community members in New York eligible for DACA and are considering applying for the first time should consult with a trusted immigration attorney or DOJ (Department of Justice)- accredited representative before applying.
“While this ruling is a victory for DACA recipients and potentially life-changing for first-time applicants, much uncertainty remains about how the Trump administration will follow the ruling, given its attacks on immigrants continue across the country.
“We urge current DACA recipients to renew their status as needed. We urge individuals who are considering applying for the first time to exercise caution and speak to a trusted attorney first, as there is still too much unknown about whether the Trump administration will access and abuse people’s data to target them,” said Awawdeh, adding that “DACA has always been a short-term band-aid.
The deputy director of Make the Road New York, Natalia Aristizabal, another immigrant advocacy group in New York, told CMC that the DACA program has been kept alive for the past 13 years “thanks to the tenacious efforts of litigators, advocates, organizers, and young people, who are fighting for the freedom to stay in this country.
“At a time when the Trump administration has made clear its animosity towards immigrant families, and when Congress refuses to act to protect our communities, today’s mandate—which preserves a lifeline for DACA recipients and DACA-eligible people—is a testament to the decades of organizing that created and continues to safeguard this program.
“At the same time, we recognize that this is not enough. All eyes are now on the Trump administration. If the president chooses to terminate the program, he will be solely responsible for separating families, devastating entire communities, and toppling the US economy,” Aristizabal said.
“We deserve more. DACA recipients have built loving families and become integral in their communities. We need permanent protections now.”
The National Immigration Forum (NIF) said a dreamer must have come to the US before their 16th birthday and continuously resided in the US since June 15, 2007, to enroll in DACA.
NIF said Dreamers must meet other requirements regarding age, education, immigration status, and no criminal activity.
NIF said recipients must submit renewal requests every two years. As of June 30, 2024, it said 535,030 Dreamers held active DACA status.
NIF noted that, in recent years, challenges to DACA’s legality have “volleyed the policy back and forth in the courts.”
It said the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling this week “will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court (by the Trump administration), potentially pushing a decision to spring 2026.
“This litigation requires swift action from Congress to provide a permanent solution for Dreamers, as court rulings could eliminate DACA protections,” NIF warned.
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