Story perspectives

BOIA Says DACA Doesn't Shield 506K From Deportation

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Board of Immigration Appeals ruled DACA status alone does not guarantee protection from removal.
A three-judge panel reversed an immigration judge’s ruling and sent Catalina Xóchitl Santiago’s case back for review.
The decision could affect about 506,000 DACA recipients nationwide, including roughly 141,000 in California.
In 2025, nearly 300 DACA recipients were detained, and about 90 were deported.
Renewal processing now exceeds five months, causing work-permit lapses for recipients.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 Bill Clinton’s Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act took effect, expanding removal authority and limiting discretionary relief. The law spurred a surge in deportations, climbing from about 50,000 annually to over 200,000 by the early 2000s. Today the Board of Immigration Appeals cites that precedent, ruling DACA status alone cannot prevent removal of individuals like Catalina Xóchitl Santiago.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Board of Immigration Appeals ruled DACA status alone does not guarantee protection from removal.
A three-judge panel reversed an immigration judge’s ruling and sent Catalina Xóchitl Santiago’s case back for review.
The decision could affect about 506,000 DACA recipients nationwide, including roughly 141,000 in California.
In 2025, nearly 300 DACA recipients were detained, and about 90 were deported.
Renewal processing now exceeds five months, causing work-permit lapses for recipients.

1 / 2