The de Blasio administration and the City University of New York announced on Friday the launch of the ActionNYC DACA Education Initiative. The program will provide classes through nine community-based education providers to assist immigrant New Yorkers in fulfilling DACA’s educational requirement. DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – a federal program that offers temporary protection from deportation and access to work authorization, among other benefits – will increase opportunities for social and economic mobility for immigrants across New York City
“New York City is home to nearly half a million undocumented immigrants. They are our neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family. Our new education initiative will provide immigrants with an invaluable opportunity to obtain the sense of security needed to transform their lives,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Despite the success of DACA, thousands of potentially eligible New Yorkers have not applied because they do not yet meet the education requirement for the program. To meet the education requirement for DACA, immigrants must demonstrate graduation from high school, or current enrollment in a qualifying educational program, like those supported by the DACA Education Initiative. Those who were honorably discharged from the U.S. military may also be eligible.
Educational services such as English literacy and high school equivalency classes will be provided through nine community-based organizations run by the following partners: BronxWorks, Fifth Avenue Committee, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, LaGuardia Community College, Make the Road New York, New York City College of Technology, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers, and Queens Library.
Once enrolled in classes, participants will have the opportunity to work with a case manager who will conduct a needs assessment and set goals with each participant. Case managers will help connect participants to social services and vocational or further educational programs. Through this model, the DACA Education Initiative will allow participants to fulfill the DACA education requirement and also facilitate additional opportunities for social mobility.
Although the implementation of President Obama’s 2014 executive actions on immigration remains halted due to litigation, immigrants can continue to apply for the original DACA program, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary on August 15.
DACA is a powerful program that has already provided life-changing benefits to over 725,000 immigrants nationwide, including over 36,000 New York State residents. Under DACA, eligible undocumented immigrants with significant ties to the United States can obtain temporary protection from deportation and access to work authorization and a Social Security number, as well as access to a driver’s license and, in New York State, access to health care for income-eligible immigrants.
Immigrant New Yorkers who think they may be eligible for the ActionNYC DACA Education Initiative and would like to enroll should call 311 and say “ActionNYC.” For more information on DACA, immigrant New Yorkers should call 311 and say “DACA.” All immigrant New Yorkers can call 311 and say “ActionNYC” to get free, safe immigration legal help.
ActionNYC is a $8.5 million initiative, funded as part of the FY17 Adopted Budget in partnership with the City Council. Visit nyc.gov/ActionNYC for more information on the program.
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