Immigration law blog

Federal Injunction Blocks DAPA and Expansion of DACA

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced several important changes to the program known as “DACA” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). These changes expand eligibility for the program. He also announced a new program known as “DAPA” (Deferred Action for Parental Accountability), for parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) planned to begin accepting DACA applications under the new guidelines on February 18, 2015 and DAPA applications in mid-to-late May of 2015. However, a federal court judge has just issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the federal government from implementing these changes.

The injunction means that USCIS will not accept applications for DACA under the new, expanded guidelines. However, applications under the current guidelines, both for new applications and for renewals, will continue to be accepted.

The injunction also means that USCIS will not be preparing to accept applications for DAPA. However, applications may be accepted in the future if and when the injunction is lifted.

For more information on the injunction, please see:


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L.I.H. Law is a trusted immigration law firm with our office conveniently located in Seattle, near the Seattle Space Needle (2nd Ave and Denny Way).

Our well-respected lawyers exclusively practice immigration law, covering diverse topics: asylum, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA), detention cases, fiancé visas (K-1 visas), green cards, immigration status for victims of domestic violence or other crimes, naturalization applications, and much more.

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Kristin Kyrka

Kristin Kyrka joined L.I.H. Law as an associate attorney in 2014. She received her B.A. from Wesleyan University (Connecticut) in 2004 and graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 2011. During law school, Kristin worked with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the Washington Defender Association Immigration Project, and she served as a migrant farm worker advocate in Eastern Washington with Columbia Legal Services. Prior to joining L.I.H. Law, Kristin represented immigrant detainees facing removal at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. Kristin serves as a pro bono attorney with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project’s Immigrant Families Advocacy Project, and as a volunteer for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Citizenship Day events. She is also active in the Washington Chapter of AILA, serving on the Asylum, EOIR, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement committees. Kristin speaks fluent Spanish.

L.I.H. Law, P.S., Immigration Lawyer, Seattle, WA