Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program set by President Obama on June 15, 2012. Since 2012, DACA has provided undocumented people who arrived to the United States as children with a renewable two-year work permit and relief from deportation. DACA does not grant legal status or a pathway to citizenship. As a UIC student, you have access to free legal services. If you need to renew your DACA, you may request an appointment with UIC Student Legal Services.
Update: There has been recent changes in the DACA program.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is still accepting DACA renewal applications with current or expired date.
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is NOT be accepting initial DACA applications.
- There is uncertainty on what the future will look like for DACA. However, it is now the time to summit your renewal DACA application.
Update: On April 25, 2018, a federal judge from the D.C. District Court ruled a 90 day period to reinstate the DACA program, allowing eligible people to summit a first-time DACA application.
DACA and COVID-19 Resources Heading link
Please see below for important updates with regards to DACA and COVID-19.
DACA AND COVID-19 Heading link
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I have DACA, can I apply for Unemployment in Illinois?
Unemployment insurance is a state-operated insurance program designed to partially replace lost wages when you are out of work. This is NOT a public benefit and does not count as one for public charge purposes. DACA recipients are eligible to file for benefits as long as they have current authorization to work.
You can enter your work authorization card information during the claim filing process online (www.IDES.Illinois.gov), once the claim is filed, you will be asked to submit copies of the I-766 (Work Authorization card) for further review. You will need to have proof of legal authorization to work during the base period that is used to establish the unemployment claim.