Guidelines for How Employers Should Respond to DACA Uncertainty If there is a "dreamer'' on your team, offer moral support but don't make promises you can't keep.
By Jonathan Segal Edited by Dan Bova
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Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ordered the wind down of the program known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA"). In a memorandum issued with the rescission order, the DHS announced how the program will end.
DACA was founded by the Obama Administration in June 2012. DACA allows certain illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors to receive deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit. It is estimated that approximately 800,000 individuals are covered by the program.
The DHS memorandum is clear that all current work permits remain in effect and will not be revoked. However, as of September 5, 2017, USCIS will not accept any new DACA requests.
The DACA program is scheduled to terminate on March 5, 2018 unless Congress saves the program. According to a press release by DHS, the deferral was designed "so Congress can have time to deliver on appropriate legislative solutions."
What should employers do when they have DACA employees in their workplace? Three critical points:
1. Focus on the workplace issue as apolitically as possible.
Some employers will undoubtedly focus on the political, as is their right. However, if employers want to take a stand without creating polarity in their workforce, they are generally advised to be as apolitical as possible. The message is simple: you stand behind your DACA employees and will do what you reasonably can to support them.
2. Provide employees support but be careful of promises.
You can let employees know what you will be doing, such as writing to your senator or legislator. But be careful not to promise DACA employees that you will protect them no matter what. No one knows what the status of the law will be on March 5, 2018. As sympathetic as you may be, you cannot promise that you will protect these employees if the law is to the contrary.
One thing employers can do is seek work permit extensions to the extent permitted by the DHS Memorandum. While the details of seeking extensions should be discussed with immigration counsel, keep in mind that any such extensions must arrive at the USCIS no later than October 5, 2017.
Again, seeking extensions may slake some of the anxiety of DACA employees. But make clear there are no guarantees so they cannot later claim they relied to their detriment on your actions in not developing a plan B.
Related: How the Restaurant Industry Is Reacting to the 'Day Without Immigrants' Protest
3. Don't push employees to lobby for a legislative solution.
Employees may ask you if there is anything they can do to help their DACA colleagues. You can respond that they can contact their representatives in the Senate and House (mentioning that is what you are doing, if that is case.). But make clear that you are responding to their request and whether they choose to reach out to their representatives is entirely voluntary.
Do not reach out to all employees and encourage them to engage in grassroots advocacy (one way or the other). Not all employees will agree, and your doing so will then turn your workplace into a political battlefield. Plus, there are potential legal risks, to boot!
DHS has promised more detail. Stay tuned.
This blog is not legal advice, should not be construed as applying to specific factual situations or as establishing an attorney-client relationship.
Follow me on Twitter at: Jonathan__HR__Law.
