How old is the dream act

Rather, it creates a well-defined process to legalize only those who grew up here and who earn status by staying in school and maintaining good moral character. The DREAM Act is narrowly tailored : Our immigration law currently has no mechanism to consider the special equities and circumstances of these students.

Students would then be eligible to apply for conditional status. During the 6-year conditional status, students would have to either complete at least two years of higher education or two years of military service. This website uses cookies to improve your experience.

We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

Many framed the issue as protecting children from the consequences for actions over which the child had no control, while others framed the Act as a reward for illegal activity that would create an incentive for minor children to enter into the United States illegally. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older.

This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. Texas Proposition 8 Obergefell v. The requirements for participating in DACA are: Under the age of 31 as of June 15, ; Entered the United States by the 16th birthday; Continuous residence in the United States since June 15, ; Physically present in the United States on June 15, and at the time of the request for consideration under DACA Had no lawful status on June 15, ; Currently in school, graduated or obtained a certificate of complete from a high school, or have obtained a GED, or honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States, and; Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Ming H. When a child is born in the United States, they become an American citizen from the second they are born; this is called "U. So if parents come to the United States without lawful entry and bring their child along, the child then grows up in the United States without U.

That's where the Dreamer story begins. There are millions of young people whose parents brought them to America as children, who don't share the same legal protection as their friends and neighbors who were born here.

Until , undocumented youth often could not obtain higher education because they did not qualify for in-state tuition or federal financial aid like federal student loans and work-study. DACA allowed Dreamers to obtain renewable two-year work permits and to qualify for federal student loans. To apply for DACA, Dreamers need to satisfy certain eligibility requirements with proof including things like a high school diploma, evidence of military service where applicable, among others.

The DACA program has allowed over , young undocumented immigrants to live and work lawfully in the United States without the daily fear of deportation. The federal court hasn't ruled yet. The case would likely then go to the Supreme Court. DACA is currently the only legal protection undocumented youth have from deportation, but Congress has proposed an immigration reform bill called the DREAM Act to provide additional protection.

On the other hand, DACA only offers "deferred action" that recipients have to renew every two years. Deferred Action is not lawful status itself; instead, it's a government decision not to start removal proceedings commonly called "deportation" against someone.

Deferred Action has a long history in U. DACA fits with this history since it protects young undocumented students and workers from being kicked out of the country they grew up in. Having a green card would also allow Dreamers to apply for lawful immigration status for their family members who are undocumented or have temporary non-immigrant visas like student visas.