Hopes Dashed for Work Permits and Legal Status

Many immigrants and supporters of the immigrant community received a wonderful 2014 Thanksgiving gift from President Obama–expanded DACA, the new DAPA program, and other changes in immigration policies. However, this week, hopes were dashed for many immigrants in Massachusetts and throughout the country. See a recent Boston Globe article about Boston immigrants’ responses to this dramatic court order.

As the week wraps up, I have files on my desk containing applications that cannot be filed. My clients, their families, and I are all disheartened by this unjust turn of events. I have hope that the application process will open up again soon. Until then, immigrants can still prepare applications, but must not submit them until USCIS provides further guidance on its response to the injunction against filing expanded DACA applications.