Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
After Supreme Court Victory, DACA Hopefuls Wait To Apply -- With No Guidance Yet From Feds
DACA supporters drive around Macarthur Park honking and chanting during a rally celebrating the Supreme Court decision to let DACA continue for now. (Chava Sanchez/ LAist)
()
It’s been a couple of weeks since the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The program protects younger immigrants without legal status from deportation, and many people are now eager to apply for DACA for the first time. Until the recent decision, only existing DACA recipeints could renew their status following the Trump administration's attempt to end the program in 2017.
But there’s a problem: The federal government has not said if and when it will take new applicants for the program.
"They may delay instructions and we may not know what to do in the meantime," said Luis Perez, legal services director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
Last week, CHIRLA mailed off a new DACA application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services -- a test case of sorts. They haven’t received a response yet.
Support for LAist comes from
"As soon as we do, we'll be able to share the status of that of that application, maybe as a way to encourage others to do the same," Perez said.
In the meantime, CHIRLA has been advising DACA hopefuls to get their documents in order. They must show they were born after 1981 and entered the country before age 16.
Federal immigration officials had no comment at this time other than a statement from a USCIS official referring to DACA recipients as “illegal aliens.”
The high court ruled last month against the Trump administration, saying the way in which the administration rescinded DACA in 2017 was "arbitrary and capricious."
READ MORE:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist