Demonstrators protest immigration enforcement changes at the Town Clock in Santa Cruz on Feb. 3. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)

Now 25, García is a volunteer with Watsonville-based community center Raíces y Cariños. She is legally allowed to work and receive financial aid for her education, and is part of the first wave of DACA recipients, called Dreamers. DACA must be renewed every two years, and the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement changes have left her and many Dreamers anxious about the future.

“It makes me angry that they don’t want to give this opportunity to other students or people who qualify,” García told Noticias Watsonville.

Applications for DACA are not being processed but current recipients are still able to renew.

Authorities said this month that Dreamers should renew their DACA status at least six months before its expiration, stay on top of potential policy changes and consult an attorney. 

“It is very important if you have DACA that you renew on time,” said Kate Hinnenkamp, program director of Community Action Board’s Santa Cruz County Immigration Project. “Don’t wait.”

There were about 1,000 DACA recipients in Santa Cruz County as of September 2023 and about 538,000 active recipients in the U.S. as of September 2024. The U.S. population is about 340 million.

DACA and the courts

Created in 2012, DACA policy is aimed at people who were brought to the U.S. as children without authorization. While it offers some protections and benefits, it is not a path to citizenship or legal residency. 

DACA has been challenged in court several times. It is expected to go before the U.S. Supreme Court for a final decision this year or in 2026, some lawmakers have said. A case currently challenging DACA — Texas v. United States — went before a panel of judges on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Last month, they ruled against parts of the policy but maintained the precedent of leaving it intact for current recipients.

For the time being, active DACA recipients remain protected. Court rulings have largely halted the processing of new applications since 2017, but the rulings allow current recipients to renew.

Advice for Dreamers

The following is not legal advice, but is based on information from experts and officials.

Renew your DACA. It’s important to renew DACA before it expires. “Six months minimum before it expires, submit the renewal,” said Blanca Zarazua, a Salinas-based attorney and honorary consul of Mexico.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recommends DACA recipients submit renewal requests four to five months before expiration. “Filing during this window reduces the risk that your current period of DACA and employment authorization will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request,” the USCIS website states.

If your DACA has expired, a renewal is still possible up to 12 months after its expiration. Because no new applications for DACA are being processed, an application after the 12 months would count as a new application and would not be processed.

Community Action Board offers assistance with DACA renewals, the services are free to qualified individuals.

Follow the law. A DACA renewal can be denied or DACA status revoked if a person is convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor. 

Find an attorney. Consult with an attorney who specializes in immigration and can offer personalized advice.

Seek advice or support from local organizations. There are many resources for immigrants in Santa Cruz County. 

Stay informed. Keep up to date on the latest news and developments in DACA and immigration policy in order to make informed decisions. 

Additional reporting by Fidel M. Soto. 

Correction: A previous version of this story included a person incorrectly identified as a DACA recipient.

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