The Department of Homeland Security has begun accepting applications for a new legal status program replacing the original DACA initiative, offering renewable work authorization and protection from deportation to approximately 600,000 eligible Dreamers. The program results from legislation passed in late 2025.
The new Dreamer Protection Act provides a more stable legal foundation than the executive action that created DACA, which had faced ongoing legal challenges. Eligibility requirements include continuous US residence since before age 16, no serious criminal convictions, and completion of high school or equivalent.
Unlike DACA, the new program includes a pathway to permanent residency after five years of continuous enrollment and compliance with program requirements. This addresses the primary criticism of DACA as a temporary fix without a long-term solution.
Application processing is expected to take 60-90 days, with USCIS hiring 500 additional officers to handle the volume. Current DACA holders will be automatically transitioned to the new program, while new applicants must submit fresh documentation.
Immigration attorneys are hosting free clinics nationwide to assist eligible individuals with applications. Advocacy groups urge all potentially eligible individuals to apply promptly, as the initial enrollment window closes in October 2026.
