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State of California Department of Justice
Rob Bonta
Attorney General
Attorney General
On June 18, 2020, the Attorney General's Office — leading a coalition of 21 attorneys general and joined by numerous other plaintiffs — secured a landmark ruling against the Trump Administration, upholding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. In its ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Trump Administration acted illegally when it attempted to end DACA. As a result, the policy remains in effect for now, protecting hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across the country.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision comes more than two years after the Attorney General's Office — alongside partners across the country — secured the first nationwide preliminary injunction in January of 2018. As a result of the preliminary injunction, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was required to resume accepting requests to renew DACA protections, which allow individuals to legally remain and work in the United States. Currently, DACA provides protection to nearly 650,000 people who arrived in this country as children.
For more information on the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on DACA, see the docket here.
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-following-landmark-supreme-court-victory-new-data-shows
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/2020.07.01%20-%20DACA%20Renewals.pdf
Press Release:
https://www.oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-issues-warning-against-immigration-scams
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-applauds-landmark-supreme-court-decision-daca
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-more-64000-dreamers-have-renewed-daca-protections
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/04.01.2020 - Quarterly Renewals.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-nearly-all-current-daca-recipients-have-been-able-renew
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/01.02.2020 - Quarterly Renewals.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-issues-statement-fight-dreamers-us-supreme-court
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/businesses-law-enforcement-leaders-healthcare-professionals-academic
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-more-half-million-dreamers-have-renewed-their-daca
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Pages%20from%2010.01.2019%20Demographics%20Report.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-files-response-against-trump-administration-daca-case
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-date-nearly-half-million-dreamers-have-renewed-their
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/7.1.2019
Demographics Report 3.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-vows-defend-daca-supreme-court
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-date-more-373000-dreamers-have-successfully-renewed
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/page-3-ecf-doc-no.285-exhbit-b-quarterly-report.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-date-more-276000-dreamers-have-renewed-daca-thanks
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/daca-qtrly-report-jan-2019-exhibit-and-b.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-leads-multistate-amicus-brief-protect-daca-recipients
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-hails-victory-dreamers-following-ninth-circuit-decision
Opinion:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/ca9-daca-opinion.pdf
Video:
https://youtu.be/cEJcJvcjRt8
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-date-more-187000-dreamers-have-renewed-daca-thanks
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/2019-daca-demographics-report-10.1.18.pdf
DACA recipients are leaders, teachers, friends, neighbors, business owners, and classmates. We will all lose out on their contributions if Texas has its way. Any effort to end DACA is a misguided attempt to prevent people from continuing to make a positive impact for themselves, their families, and our States.
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-co-leads-amicus-brief-defense-daca
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-least-45000-dreamers-have-their-daca-renewals-approved
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/ecf-doc-277-attachment-2-demographic-reports.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-defends-dreamers-daca-hearing-ninth-circuit-court
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-least-30000-dreamers-have-successfully-renewed-daca
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Data:
https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-studies/immigration-forms-data/data-set-form-i-821d-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/ecf-doc-no.272-attach-2-quarterly-report-2.pdf
The Supreme Court denied the federal government’s unusual and unnecessary request to bypass the Appeals Court review of our DACA lawsuit. We look forward to explaining to the Ninth Circuit court that DACA is fully legal.
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-us-supreme-court-instructs-trump-administration-follow
Dreamers' lives were thrown into chaos when the Trump Administration tried to terminate the DACA program without obeying the law. Tonight's ruling is a huge step in the right direction.
Press release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-secures-nationwide-injunction-daca-lawsuit-protect
Initial Filing: Asking Court to Reinstate DACA for Duration of Case:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press_releases/PI%20motion.pdf
Order:
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/press/ninth-circuit-order-111617.pdf
Attorney General’s Filing Opposing Petition for Writ of Mandamus:
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/press/answer-petition-writ.pdf
America is and has been home to the Dreamers who courageously came forward and applied for DACA. They have done everything our government has asked of them. They followed the rules directed by DACA, they succeeded in school, at work and in business, and they have contributed in building a better America. They epitomize the American Dream. Our Dreamers deserve to know that we respect their values and grit. And they deserve to know that we will fight at every turn for their rights and opportunities so they may continue to contribute to America.
Filing:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press_releases/PI%20motion.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-advances-new-court-motion-protect-dreamers-and-daca
Attorney General Becerra, joined by the attorneys general for Minnesota, Maryland, and Maine, files a lawsuit against the Trump Administration challenging its decision to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals initiative (DACA).
The DACA initiative has allowed more than 800,000 Dreamers, children brought to this country without documentation, to come out of the shadows and become successful and productive Americans. One-in-four of those DACA Dreamers know California as home, and it’s no coincidence that our great state is the sixth largest economy in the world.
The court of public opinion has already spoken: the vast majority of Americans agree Dreamers should be here to stay; so now it's time to fight in every way we can – and on multiple fronts – in the court of law.
The Complaint:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press_releases/DACA%20Lawsuit.pdf
Press Release:
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-leads-daca-lawsuit-against-trump-administration
Over the last five years, Dreamers ― immigrants brought to the United States as young children by their parents without documents ― have paid fees, passed background checks and applied for work permits so they could step out of the shadows. They’ve earned a chance to fulfill their potential, contribute to our economy and enrich our communities… These young people pursue careers that range from serving our country in the military to joining the ranks of police officers to teaching the next generation of leaders in the classroom.
Attorney General Becerra, leading a coalition of 20 Attorneys General, sends a letter to President Trump urging him to protect and maintain the DACA program.
Mr. President, now is the time to affirm the commitment you made, both to the “incredible kids” who benefit from DACA and to their families and our communities, to handle this issue “with heart.” You said Dreamers should “rest easy.” We urge you to affirm America’s values and tradition as a nation of immigrants and make clear that you will not only continue DACA, but that you will defend it.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), is a policy allowing certain undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children and meet several criteria to be considered for temporary relief from removal. However, DACA does not provide lawful status.
Once granted, DACA is valid for two years and may be renewed. Individuals granted deferred action will also be eligible to request employment authorization, a legal work permit issued by the federal government. DACA applicants go through extensive background checks, and it is granted on a case-by-case basis.
DACA benefits are generally valid for two years from the date of issuance. Current DACA recipients are permitted to retain both the period of deferred action and their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) until they expire, unless terminated or revoked. As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision secured by Attorney General Becerra and co-plaintiffs, DACA remains in place for now.
Individuals interested in seeking legal services, should consult this immigration consumer alert: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-issues-warning-against-immigration-scams.
Yes. Under existing regulations, if an individual receives deferred action from removal proceedings, the individual may obtain employment authorization from USCIS.
Individuals with DACA whose status is set to expire should consult with an immigration attorney. Each case is different and a range of factors must be considered.
As a result of the injunction, the court ordered the federal government to publish quarterly statistics on DACA renewals. Nearly all current DACA recipients have been able to renew their DACA and secure two more years of protection.
It is best to consult an attorney if you have questions about your immigration status or eligibility for benefits. For those who cannot afford an attorney, many immigrant advocacy organizations publish information and assist DACA recipients and individuals who may be eligible for DACA.
Financial Aid, Admissions Details, Campus Support, and Legal Services for Dreamers
Local services are available for individuals who live in specific regions. If you live in one of these communities, contact the local office to learn more about local resources and legal services available for undocumented individuals residing in that county or city.
Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs
Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
City and County of San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs
County of Santa Clara Office of Immigrant Relations
City of San Jose Office of Immigrant Affairs
