Breaking News: USCIS to Approve New DACA Applications — What Dreamers Need to Know Now

The immigration world is buzzing after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will once again review and approve new DACA applications. This is the first time since 2021 that Dreamers—undocumented young people who arrived in the United States as children—will have the opportunity to apply for protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. For thousands who have been waiting in limbo, this development could change everything. But while the news is hopeful, the legal and political uncertainties surrounding DACA remain as real as ever.

DACA was first created in 2012 by President Obama’s administration as a way to provide temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. before age sixteen. To qualify, applicants must meet strict criteria, including continuous presence in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, educational or military service requirements, and a clean criminal record. Approved applicants receive deferred action, which protects them from deportation for two years and allows them to apply for work permits. However, DACA is not a pathway to permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.

The program’s legality has been under attack since its creation. Federal courts, especially the Southern District of Texas, have questioned whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) exceeded its authority by creating DACA without congressional approval. In 2021, Judge Andrew Hanen ruled that the program was unlawful, forcing USCIS to accept but not approve new applications. Since then, only renewals have been allowed. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals largely agreed with Hanen, and although the Supreme Court previously blocked an attempt to end the program in DHS v. Regents of the University of California, 591 U.S. 1 (2020), the justices did not settle the underlying question of whether DACA itself is lawful.

The latest move by USCIS is a game changer. For the first time in nearly four years, new DACA applications will be reviewed and approved, giving fresh hope to thousands of young immigrants who were too young to apply earlier or who missed the initial deadlines. This means new applicants could soon receive deferred action, protection from deportation, and eligibility for work authorization under 8 C.F.R. § 274a.12(c)(14). With a work permit, recipients can obtain a Social Security number, driver’s license in many states, and lawful employment opportunities that were previously closed to them.

Still, there are important cautions. Immigration opponents are expected to file lawsuits immediately, likely arguing that USCIS’s decision violates existing injunctions. This could set off another round of litigation that might once again reach the Supreme Court. If that happens, Dreamers may find themselves caught between approvals and potential rollbacks, as has happened before. For applicants, this means that while the opportunity is historic, it comes with uncertainty. Submitting an application could lead to approval, but there is no guarantee that protections will remain permanent.

The political stakes are also high. Congress has failed for more than two decades to pass the DREAM Act, which would provide a permanent pathway to citizenship for DACA-eligible individuals. Each new development, like USCIS’s decision this week, underscores how fragile executive actions are when they lack statutory backing. Immigration advocates continue to argue that only legislation can provide true stability for Dreamers.

For potential applicants, this is the moment to act. The reopening of DACA is not just a policy change—it’s a lifeline. Anyone who believes they meet the eligibility criteria should gather evidence of their continuous presence, educational history, and other requirements as soon as possible. Because litigation could limit or halt approvals again, timing is critical.

This news represents hope and opportunity, but it also highlights the ongoing uncertainty of immigration law in the United States. Dreamers who qualify should apply quickly and consult with an experienced immigration attorney to avoid mistakes and understand the risks. USCIS’s announcement may open doors, but the fight for permanent legal protections continues.