What does the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program do?

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is designed specifically to provide temporary relief from deportation for certain undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children. This protection allows these individuals to apply for work permits, granting them the ability to legally work in the United States without the constant fear of being deported.

DACA does not confer permanent residency or a path to citizenship; rather, it offers a temporary stay from deportation in exchange for certain criteria being met, such as continuous residence in the U.S. since a specified age and the absence of felony convictions. This program is geared towards young people who are often referred to as "Dreamers," highlighting the intent to protect those who have grown up in the U.S. and see it as their home.

In contrast, other options presented do not accurately define what DACA does: permanent residency is not provided under DACA, immigration laws are not enforced more strictly by this program, and DACA does not grant visas to all children of immigrants but rather targets a specific group of young individuals.