By Kevin Deutsch
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A federal judge Friday ordered the Trump administration to resume accepting applications for DACA — the Obama-era program that protected thousands of Bronx residents from deportation.
New York federal court Judge Nicholas Garaufis’ order says the Department of Homeland Security must announce by Monday that it will resume approval of applications for DACA slots and work permits, which ceased in 2017.
DACA was created to grant legal status to applicants who have lived in the U.S. since 2007, and were brought here as children under 16.
Friday’s order follows a November ruling by Garaufis, which said Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf ascended to his position unlawfully, and thus lacked the authority to suspend DACA.
”DHS is DIRECTED to post a public notice, within 3 calendar days of this Order, to be displayed prominently on its website and on the websites of all other relevant agencies, that it is accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under DACA, renewal requests, and advance parole requests, based on the terms of the DACA program prior to September 5, 2017,” Garaufis wrote in Friday’s order.