What is DACA and what can I do to help DACA recipients and their families?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a U.S. immigration policy that offers eligible young people who arrived in the country as children temporary protection from deportation and permission to work.

 

CURRENTLY: As of January 17, 2025, USCIS will continue to process DACA renewal requests and any other employment applications, but will not process new/initial requests. New submitted DACA requests will remain pending and will not be processed further until the court order is resolved (Texas v. United States). Specifically in Texas, new DACA applications are more limited.

 

If you or a loved one have DACA, here are some low- to no-cost legal aid organizations in the region that you can contact for assistance.

 

• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)
  • 301 South Texas Avenue, Mercedes, TX 78570
  • (956) 996-8752
  • https://www.trla.org/
• Estrella del Paso
  • 2400 E. Yandell Dr., El Paso, TX 79903
  • (915) 532-3975
  • https://www.estrelladelpaso.org/
• Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
  • 1500 E. Yandell Dr., El Paso, TX 79902
  • (915) 544- 5126
  • https://www.las-americas.org/
• New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
  • 625 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
  • (505) 247-1023
  • https://www.nmilc.org/
• National Immigration Legal Services Directory
  •  https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprofit/legaldirectory/

As of August 2025, DACA recipients are no longer eligible for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here are some resources for low to no-cost health clinics in El Paso.

 

• Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe
  • 1314 E. Yandell, El Paso, TX 79902
  • (915) 534-7979
  • https://lafe-ep.org/
• Westside Free Clinic
  • (915) 213-0169
  • https://westsidefreeclinic.org/
• RotaCare El Paso
  • 301 S Schutz Dr, El Paso, TX 79907
  • (Opens most Saturdays
  • (915) 790-0700
  • https://rotacareelpaso.com/

Below is a Health Center locator. By entering your postal code, you can find nearby health clinics that provide low-cost or, in some cases, free medical services. 

https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

 

If you want to advocate for DACA recipients or the program’s existence:

One way you can support DACA recipients and their families is by staying involved. We encourage you to reach out to your U.S. Senators and Members of Congress to express your support for DACA recipients. Your voice can help ensure that lawmakers understand the importance of protecting Dreamers and their families.

 

Contact Representative of Texas’s 16th Congressional District – Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

(915) 541-1400

https://escobar.house.gov/contact/

 

Texas Senator John Cornyn

(202) 224-2934

https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/share-opinion/

 

Texas Senator Ted Cruz

(202) 224-5922 

https://www.cruz.senate.gov/contact

 

If you are not local to El Paso, reach out to your representative

 https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

 

Another way to support DACA recipients is to explore alternative immigration pathways, such as work visas. In some cases, employers can sponsor a DACA recipient to obtain a permanent resident card (Green Card) or a temporary work permit. Below is a guide for employers on how to begin this process.

 

https://www.ilrc.org/Employment-Based

 

https://www.coalitionfortheamericandream.us/supporting-daca-team-members/

 

There are also scholarship programs specifically designed for immigrant and undocumented students.

 

DREAM.US Scholars https://www.thedream.us/

 

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a partner of TheDream, a program that provides scholarships to immigrant students. These scholarships facilitate access to in-state tuition and partially cover tuition and fees.