FALL RIVER—Following the decision of President Trump to end the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program, Catholic Social Services is urging anyone with DACA set to expire on or before March 5, 2018 to contact Tim Paicopolos at its Fall River office at 508-674-4681 as soon as possible. Those persons qualify for DACA renewal for the duration of the program, but the renewal application must be submitted by Catholic Social Services by September 28, 2017.

Paicopolos is an immigration attorney at Catholic Social Services. The agency, sponsored by the Fall River Diocese, assists persons with DACA as one of its services and has helped over 200 persons complete their applications.

“Since the president’s action,” Paicopolos said, “there is a lot of confusion about what this means to people who have, had, or wanted DACA.”

He explained three critical points: if a person never had DACA, he/she will not be able to apply for it; if a person’s DACA card expires on or before March 5, 2018, his or her renewal application must be received by U.S. Customs and Immigration Services no later than October 5, 2017; and if a person’s DACA card expires after March 5, 2018, there will be no renewal; his or her standing under DACA will end on that date.

Paicopolos underscored that in spite of much misinformation to the contrary, “all DACA does not end on March 5, 2018.”

He encourages anyone with questions or uncertainties to contact him at the number provided above and if need be to leave a message with contact information. He or another Catholic Social Services staff member will return the call.

Diocese of Fall River
Diocese of Fall River
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