(ARIZONA) DACA students across Arizona are seeing their college plans shaken as President Trump’s renewed deportation push meets fresh court limits on the program. On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a split ruling in Texas v. United States: it allowed DACA’s protection from deportation to continue nationwide, but found the work authorization part unlawful, with an injunction that currently applies only in Texas. The case is back before U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen for next steps, and that next order could shape how far the ruling stretches.
For now in Arizona, DACA renewals and work permits are still being processed. Federal agencies continue to accept—but not approve—new, first-time DACA applications. That narrow window keeps many students on edge.
Colleges report class absences, paused degree plans, and lost campus jobs when renewal delays create gaps in work authorization. Advocacy groups say fear has climbed as immigration arrests rise under the current enforcement drive, and some Arizona students report they’ve been told to prepare to leave the country if their status lapses.
Court ruling and legal outlook
The January ruling kept deportation protection in place but questioned whether the government can issue work permits under the program. While that legal block is limited to Texas today, the next order from Judge Hanen could widen the impact.
If the injunction is expanded, DACA recipients in Arizona could face new limits on work authorization, even if protection from removal continues. Legal scholars expect further appeals, with a possible Supreme Court review as soon as late 2025 or early 2026.
USCIS says it is still processing renewals for those who already hold DACA. The agency reports median renewal times of about one to two months, but warns delays can happen. Federal data show the total number of DACA recipients dropped by roughly 8,000 between December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025, a sign that uncertainty—and cost barriers—are pushing some people out of the program.
In Arizona, that trend carries real costs:
– A gap in status can mean loss of in-state tuition, scholarships, and paid campus roles.
– Students who help support families with work income face impossible choices about rent, books, and whether to stay enrolled.
– University officials are offering legal clinics and counseling, but they are limited by federal law and cannot stop removal actions.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Fifth Circuit’s approach keeps protections alive but leaves work authorization on thinner ice, adding pressure on students who rely on campus jobs, internships, and practical training to finish their degrees.
Key takeaway: The legal path is unsettled. Renewals continue, but work permissions could be curtailed depending on the next court orders.
Campus impact and practical steps
Advocates in Arizona describe a “dark cloud” over classrooms. Some students now avoid driving to campus, fearing a traffic stop could spiral into detention if paperwork is close to expiring. Others are delaying internships they need to graduate, unsure if their next work card will arrive in time.
Faculty and advisors report more students asking for deadline extensions as they juggle biometrics appointments, legal consults, and family planning.
DACA holders in Arizona can still renew protection and work permits. To renew, file these three items together:
1. Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
2. Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)
3. Form I-765WS (Worksheet explaining economic need)
Direct form links:
– Form I-821D: https://www.uscis.gov/i-821d
– Form I-765: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
– Form I-765WS: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765ws
Key tips for students and families:
– File renewals early: 120–150 days before your DACA expires. This helps avoid a gap in work authorization that could cost you a job or scholarship.
– Save proof of timely filing. Keep delivery receipts and USCIS notices in a safe place.
– Plan for fees. No fee waiver exists for DACA as of 2025, though limited exemptions are possible in rare cases. Start saving months ahead.
– Tell your employer and school if a delay is likely. Many Arizona campuses have DACA support teams that can help with letters and timeline planning.
– Carry ID copies and legal contacts. Keep your attorney’s number and case receipts accessible.
As enforcement expands, lawyers say DACA remains a shield against deportation, but it is not a blanket protection. People can still be placed in proceedings if they lose status or face certain arrests. In this climate, advocates recommend a safety plan:
– Designate a family contact.
– Know where your documents are stored.
– Review rights during encounters with officers.
USCIS continues to post DACA program updates on its official page at https://www.uscis.gov/DACA. The agency’s customer service line is 1-800-375-5283 for case-specific help.
Institutional responses and broader implications
DHS and the Department of Justice are defending the program in court while also preparing for outcomes that could restrict or end parts of DACA. If Judge Hanen issues a broader remedy on work authorization, the practical effect in Arizona could be swift:
– Students may keep protection from removal yet lose the legal ability to work.
– That would ripple across campus employment, paid internships, and optional training tied to certain programs.
– The result could be a financial squeeze that pushes students out of school.
Arizona colleges say they are building contingency plans:
– Emergency grants for students who lose work income
– Flexible course loads
– Rapid legal referrals
But without a federal policy fix from Congress, those supports are stopgaps. University leaders, who once hoped for a bipartisan bill to protect Dreamers, now speak of “semester-to-semester” planning because rules can shift midyear.
The emotional toll is real. Counselors report more anxiety, sleep loss, and panic around deadlines. Students who help care for siblings or parents say the fear of sudden detention makes it hard to focus on classes. Community groups are trying to fill gaps with weekend legal clinics and mental health circles, but demand often exceeds capacity.
What comes next — and immediate actions
What happens next hinges on the Texas court and the pace of appeals. If the Supreme Court takes the case, nationwide clarity could arrive late this year or next. If not, a patchwork may grow, with work rules differing by state — something schools and employers say would be hard to manage.
For now, the safest course for Arizona DACA recipients is simple but strict:
– Track your expiration date and file renewals 4–5 months early.
– Respond fast to any USCIS Request for Evidence (RFE).
– Keep your address current with USCIS.
– Talk with a qualified attorney about travel, arrests, or any past issues.
– Ask your school’s DACA support office about emergency aid and legal clinics.
DACA has survived many legal attacks since 2012, but its future is still tied to courtrooms and politics. Without a law from Congress, each new ruling can change daily life for students in Arizona: whether they can work, pay in-state rates, or stay on track to graduate. Families, schools, and employers are waiting for the next order from Judge Hanen, hoping it won’t upend another semester.
This Article in a Nutshell
Arizona students face disrupted college plans after the Fifth Circuit upheld DACA deferral but questioned work permits. Renewals continue, yet work authorization may be limited if Judge Hanen expands the injunction. Universities provide legal clinics, emergency aid, and counseling while students file renewals 120–150 days early to avoid gaps.
