DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals while DAPA stands for Deferred Action for Parents of American and Lawful Permanent Residents. In DACA, its purpose is to allow some individuals who entered the country as minors and either entered or remained in the United States illegally to obtain a renewable deferred action of 2 years from being deported and to obtain an eligible and valid work visa.
It was a policy established by then President Barack Obama on June 15, 2012 and was established through the Secretary of Homeland Security memorandum entitled “Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children.” DAPA grants 3-year renewable deferred action status to these certain illegal immigrants who entered and have lived in the United States since 2010 and have children who are either lawful permanent residents or American citizens.
