DACA

Our program has advocated for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) even before the program was launched in 2012. We continue to support DACAmented individuals by providing free legal services and conducting community outreach efforts, such as Know Your Rights presentations and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Direct Representation

If you are a Harvard student or staff member who has DACA, we encourage you to contact the Harvard Representation Initiative to make an appointment with our staff attorney, Jason Corral. To schedule a time to meet with Jason, please email hri@law.harvard.edu or call 617-495-6648.

Past client stories:

  • Eric Balderas was a student at Harvard when he was arrested while trying to board a plane back to Boston. HIRC worked with Eric and he was eventually granted DACA status.
  • Bruno Villegas McCubbins worked with the Harvard Representation Initiative to have his DACA renewed during his time at Harvard.

Litigation

Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California (10/2019)
This brief argues that DHS’s basis for rescission is not supported by legal precedent or historical practice.

Policy Advocacy

Comments in Response to Proposed Rule on DACA (11/2021)
HIRC, in collaboration with the HLS Immigration Project and the Harvard Representation Initiative, submitted public comments regarding a proposed rule on DACA.

Recent News

We are thrilled to share more about two of our more recent new hires, Eleni Bakst and Michelle Schellinger Gutierrez.
Please join the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program for an event with Rebecca Sharpless '94, author of the new
Cover to the Endless Nightmare report
  The report, "Endless Nightmare”: Torture and Inhuman Treatment in Solitary Confinement in U.S. Immigration Detention, is a joint effort