Website Preloader

Updates on the Repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Last year, the Trump Administration announced plans to wind down Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which provides a way for those who came to the United States as children of undocumented immigrants to legally remain in our country. At Catholic Charities Fort Worth, we view everyone that enters our doors as made in the image of God. In that spirit, we support legislation that promotes the principle of family reunification and respects the human dignity of immigrants. Our Immigration program has served many of these young adults to file for DACA status. Though DACA is not a permanent solution and does not allow them to access most public benefits like Food Stamps, this status has made a marked difference in their lives. With DACA, they are allowed to work, pay taxes, attend school, and move about freely in our communities without fear. More than 110,000 young adults brought to Texas will be impacted by this announcement, and nearly 800,000 throughout the United States.

You can find more information about DACA here and here. 

Here is what to do if you need help or are impacted by DACA:

Though no new DACA applications will be accepted, DACA renewals are available to those whose work permits (EADs) expire on or before March 5, 2018. Any EAD (Employment Authorization Documents) that expire after this date are not eligible for renewal. Applications that are eligible for renewal must be submitted by October 5, 2017. If you are eligible, please set up an appointment with our Immigration Services as soon as possible. We have opened up more appointments to accommodate as many people as possible.

 Appointment Information:

– Appointments must be made over the phone or in-person. To schedule an appointment over the phone, call 817.289.4399 between 8am and 10am Monday through Friday. To schedule in-person, come to our main campus from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

– Catholic Charities cost is $350 ( money order only), Immigration cost is $495 (money order only), and consultation fee is $40. Please note that these prices can be waived for those unable to pay. We do not deny anyone services because they are unable to cover the cost.

– Bring both money orders ($495, $350), work permits (EAD), Driver License/State ID, Social Security Card, and/or last two years taxes (if filed)/proof of physical presence in the United States for last two years (pay stubs, bank statements, medical records, school records, etc.) to your appointment.

– Clients should be prepared to be in our office for at least one hour.

Mission Asset Fund is supplying scholarships to those in need of funding for DACA renewal. For more information and to apply, click here.

If you’re looking for ways to help, please consider the following:

– Praying for people in our community and in our nation who are DACA recipients, as well as for our leaders as they consider decisions.

– Contacting your legislator to ask them to act and immediately resume work toward a legislative solution.

– Learning more about this issue. You can read more from the Texas Bishops here.

– Sharing more about this issue on your social media and digital channels. We invite you to link to this page and share it.

– You can donate money to Catholic Charities Fort Worth here to enable us to continue supporting this population, and we ask you to consider volunteering to help with scheduling or legal needs.