On September 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a decision finding the DACA final rule unlawful. DACA, which commenced in 2012, protects certain undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children from deportation and allows them to receive employment authorization. As a result of this decision, USCIS will continue to accept and process DACA renewal requests and accompanying applications for employment authorization. However, because the July 16, 2021 injunction remains in effect, while USCIS will continue to accept initial DACA requests and accompanying applications for employment authorization, it cannot process them. 

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