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Have you heard of DAPA and DACA?

In December 2014, President Barack Obama announced two executive actions that would offer relief and broaden opportunities for many undocumented people who live in the United States. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a legal case that will determine the future of these programs and of millions of migrant families and workers across the United States.

One of the programs being considered is “Expanded DACA.” Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, was implemented in 2012 and has given hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people relief from deportation and work permits. The original DACA had several requirements, including being enrolled in or having graduated from school, and also had an age limit: only people who were under 31 years of age in June 2012 and who had arrived in the United States before age 16 could sign up. "Expanded DACA," announced by Obama in 2014, would offer the same benefits and eliminate the age limit.

The other program under consideration is Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA. This program would offer relief from deportation and a work permit to many undocumented people whose children are U.S. citizens or legal residents.

Read more about DAPA and DACA PLUS requirements here.

DAPA and Expanded DACA are crucial programs that would help keep families together and strengthen migrant workers’ labor rights. However, after Obama announced the programs, twenty-six state governments sued his administration, claiming that his actions are illegal. Since then, implementation of Expanded DACA and DAPA has been on hold.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides in the United States v. Texas case. The court’s decision in this case will impact millions of migrant workers and families. Watch the video below from the Center for American Progress to learn more about the case, and visit Contratados.org to read updates!

Photo: Matt Wade, Flickr