The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in North Carolina: Perspectives from Immigrants and Community-Based Organizations

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides work authorization and a two-year reprieve for some young, undocumented immigrants, affects both the individual granted the reprieve and the broader economy. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in North Carolina: Perspectives from Immigrants and Community-Based Organizations examines the impact of the program in the state with the highest application rate for the first two years of DACA’s existence. Using interviews and surveys, the report finds that DACA positively impacts immigrants’ economic and social integration including their ability to secure a driver’s license, pursue further education and find employment. However, the program’s financial and administrative burden falls on organizations with limited resources; the ability to train lawyers is inadequate, and immigrants in low-income, rural areas face barriers to application. This study of DACA in North Carolina provides a number of insights into the organizational implementation of federal administrative actions at the local level. The authors recommend that community-based organizations provide services such as the provision of equipment and training needed to help with program facilitation and future immigration reform. They further suggest that law firms and DACA counselors extend outreach to families rather than individuals and that federal immigration agencies re-conceptualize the application process to increase visibility, efficiency and affordability of DACA.  (Erin Entrada Kelly for The ILC Public Education Institute)

Download now or view online.