The federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) is coming to an end. DACA renewals will be possible for only a few weeks until Oct. 5th, 2017 for people whose DACA work permit expires between Sept. 5th, 2017 and March 5th, 2018. Locally, you can help a Dreamer renew their work permit!
Mural by Alex Cook
A group of representatives from Jamaica Plain-Roxbury non-profits, including City Life/Vida Urbana, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, First Baptist Church JP, Tree of Life, ACEDONE, JPNDC, SIM, Hyde Square Task Force and others have formed a JP-Rox immigrant solidarity network.
Faced with this new threat, we decided to raise funds to help pay the DACA renewal fees for the Dreamers in our communities. There has already been money made available for legal support, but very little to help Dreamers pay these huge fees.
City Life/Vida Urbana has volunteered to receive and pass on all contributions to Agencia Alpha, earmarked for DACA renewal fees. Agencia Alpha will be conducting legal advice workshops in our community to help Dreamers reapply for DACA status.
The DREAM Act bill was a President Obama immigration policy that allowed some individuals who entered the country as minors, and had entered or remained in the country illegally, to receive a renewable two-year timeframe to avoid deportation and be eligible for a work permit. There are approximately 800,000 individuals who are "Dreamers" in the country. President Trump rescinded the DACA policy in early September.
Each renewal application costs $495. The more money raised, the more our struggling Dreamer neighbors will be funded and 100 percent of the funds will go to DACA beneficiaries who need to apply for their renewal by Oct. 5th, 2017. Many students and immigrants cannot raise the $495, which they need to renew their status on short notice.
Please help our neighbors by giving online at clvu.org/daca_fund.