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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

  • Overview


    What is DACA?

    On June 15, 2012, President Obama created a new policy calling for deferred action for certain undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children. Applications under the program, which is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), began on August 15, 2012.

    *Subject to current court orders, as of October 31, 2022, current DACA approvals and work authorizations remain in effect, and the Department of Homeland Security will continue to process DACA renewal requests and related requests for employment authorization.

    It is also accepting initial DACA and employment authorization requests, however, it cannot process initial requests under the current court orders, so these requests remain on hold.

  • Qualifying for DACA


    Who Qualifies for DACA Status?

    *Subject to current court orders, as of October 31, 2022, current DACA approvals and work authorizations remain in effect, and the Department of Homeland Security will continue to process DACA renewal requests and related requests for employment authorization. It is also accepting initial DACA and employment authorization requests, however, it cannot process initial requests under the current court orders, so these requests remain on hold.

    You may request consideration of DACA if you:

    • Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
    • Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday
    • Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time
    • Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012 and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS
    • Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012, meaning that you never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or any lawful immigration status or parole that you obtained prior to June 15, 2012, had expired as of June 15, 2012
    • Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
    • Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

    To get started, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services website will help answer some of your questions regarding your immigration status and how to request consideration for DACA. There, you can find out more information about the DACA process, background checks, fees, etc.

  • Useful Resources


    Guidance and Resources

  • Important Note


    Important Note

    It is important to reiterate that at Stony Brook University, we do not request or require immigration status as part of the admissions process, nor is immigration status a factor in student housing decisions.

    We do not share private information. Once a student is enrolled we protect student confidentiality in line with federal and state law. Our University Police Department does not inquire into nor record the immigration status of students or other persons unless they have been arrested.

    US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy characterizes colleges and universities as "sensitive locations" -- places where enforcement actions should not occur outside of extraordinary circumstances. 

  • FAQ


    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding DACA