DACA Provides

DACA programs refer to opportunities available to people who are protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

DACA is a U.S. immigration policy that allows certain individuals who came to the United States as children to live and work legally for renewable periods, usually 2 years at a time.

People approved for DACA can receive:

• Work authorization (EAD card) 
• Social Security Number 
• Protection from deportation (temporary) 
• Ability to pay taxes and build credit
   

However, DACA does not provide permanent residency or citizenship by itself.

Because DACA recipients receive a Social Security Number and work authorization, they can often qualify for:

• Conventional home loans
• FHA loans
•  own Payment Assistance programs
   

Some lenders treat DACA borrowers similar to permanent residents, as long as their work permit is valid.

DACA borrower:

• Social Security Number ✔ 
• Work permit ✔ 
• Credit score: 680 ✔ 
• Stable job ✔
   

They may qualify for:

• 3–5% down payment mortgage
   
• Down Payment Assistance programs
   

To qualify for DACA originally, a person had to:

• Arrive in the U.S. before age 16 
• Have lived continuously in the U.S. since June 2007 
• Be in school, graduated, or honorably discharged from the military 
• Have no serious criminal record
   

Many DACA recipients:

• Have good income and credit 
• Pay U.S. taxes 
• Are first-time homebuyers
   

This makes them an important group for first-time buyer programs and mortgage lending.