The Department of Homeland Security announced in June 2014 that it was beginning to accept applicants for renewal from young immigrants enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The Obama administration began the DACA program in August 2012 as a way to give relief to unauthorized immigrants who entered the country illegally as children. With deferred action status, these immigrants can work or go to school in the country legally for two years without fear of deportation.

DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said that besides accepting renewal applications, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also will continue to accept DACA enrollment applications.

“Despite the acrimony and partisanship that now exists in Washington, almost all of us agree that a child who crossed our border illegally with a parent, or in search of a parent or a better life, was not making an adult choice to break our laws, and should be treated differently than adult law-breakers,” said Secretary Johnson. “By the renewal of DACA, we act in accord with our values and the code of this great Nation. But, the larger task of comprehensive immigration reform still lies ahead.”

As of April 2014, more than 560,000 young immigrants had received DACA status. USCIS had received more than 650,000 requests for deferred action status since the program began. The government has said as many as 1.5 million individuals may be eligible to apply.

Mexican-born immigrants were the leading group of applicants with 467,982 requests, followed by immigrants born in El Salvador (23,074), Honduras (15,574), Guatemala (15,531), Peru (7,745) and South Korea (7,741).

Most of the applicants (174,241) lived in California. Texas (100,061) ranked second in applications, followed by Illinois (33,936), New York (32,086), Florida (25,720) and Arizona (21,625).

The first DACA approvals will begin to expire in September 2014, according to USCIS. “To avoid a lapse in the period of deferral and employment authorization, individuals must file renewal requests before the expiration of their current period of DACA,” a USCIS statement says. “USCIS encourages requestors to submit their renewal request approximately 120 days (four months) before their current period of deferred action expires.”

The government defines DACA as a” discretionary determination to defer removal action against an individual.” Individuals in DACA will be able to remain in the United States and apply for employment authorization for a period of two years. Individuals who have not requested DACA previously, but meet the criteria established, may also request deferral for the first time.

Eligibility requirements to apply for DACA :

• 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;
• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

In addition to the above criteria, to renew your DACA deferral, you must meet the following additional requirements:

• Did not depart the United States on or after August 15, 2012, without advance parole;
• Have continuously lived in the United States since you submitted your most recent DACA request that was approved; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor or thee or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.