Immigrant advocacy organizations are urging the Trump administration to resume processing new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. On March 18th, the Korean American Service and Education Association (KASA), which represents five Korean community organizations across the U.S., held an online press conference to express concerns about the current state of the program. KASA pointed out that while a ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on January 17th upheld the decision declaring DACA illegal, it limited the impact of the ruling to Texas. This decision, according to KASA, means that new DACA applications should be processed nationwide, yet the Trump administration has failed to take any action.<\/p>\n
KASA emphasized that despite the appellate court’s decision taking effect on March 11th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to process only renewals for existing DACA recipients and has not resumed accepting new applications. The group is urging the administration to correct this discrepancy and begin processing new applications.<\/p>\n
However, caution is advised for those considering reapplying for DACA. The Korean American Council (KOA) warned of the uncertainty surrounding the situation, noting that there is a risk of personal information being exposed due to the lack of clarity on the administration\u2019s next steps. Immigration attorneys also advised caution, stating that while it may not be easy for the Trump administration to resume new applications immediately, individuals should stay informed and consult with legal experts if necessary.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the KOA condemned a new immigrant registration system introduced by the Trump administration in February. Set to take effect on April 11, this system would require certain undocumented immigrants over the age of 14 to register with the government, and mandate that 18-year-old immigrants possess a registration certificate. The KOA criticized this move as another attempt to target and stigmatize immigrants, particularly those who entered the U.S. without going through immigration screening.<\/p>\n
While this regulation is seen as primarily affecting individuals who entered the U.S. illegally through the southern border, Korean immigration attorneys note that it will not likely impact most Korean immigrants, who generally entered the country through proper immigration channels. They advise individuals to consult with immigration attorneys if they have concerns or need guidance.<\/p>\n
For further assistance, the Korean American Council operates an immigrant assistance hotline available 24\/7, providing support and resources for individuals facing immigration-related challenges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"