DACA Recipients in Texas May Have Work Permits Revoked

 Posted on November 14, 2025 in Immigration

As immigration laws continue to change almost weekly, a new proposal from the current administration could strip more than 86,000 Texas DACA recipients of their work permits. DACA recipients, also known as "Dreamers," have been a part of a years-long battle between Obama-era programs and the Trump administration. Now, it is looking like these DACA recipients may have no choice but to leave their homes in Texas and move to a state where they are allowed to work and make a living.

Judge Andrew Hanen, a U.S. District Court judge, will soon rule on a proposal submitted by the current administration that could render Texas DACA recipients ineligible for work permits typically offered under former DACA rules. If you find yourself in this untenable situation – potentially forced to move your family to a state that will let you work – it is time to speak to a knowledgeable Plano, TX immigration lawyer.   

Who Are DACA Recipients?

DACA recipients are individuals who were brought to the United States as young children and have been granted temporary protection from deportation, along with a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. These individuals must meet strict criteria, including continuous residency since June 15, 2007, and arrival in the United States before the age of 16.

DACA recipients must not have a criminal history (no felony conviction or certain types of misdemeanor convictions, or more than three other misdemeanor convictions). Dreamers must be currently in school, have a high school diploma or GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces. DACA recipients are required to renew their status every two years.

What Benefits Are Dreamers Entitled to Receive?

DACA recipients are granted temporary protection from deportation and are eligible for a work permit. This allows them to legally live, work, and contribute to their communities. If the status is not renewed every two years, it can be revoked. DACA does not provide permanent immigration status or a direct path to citizenship. DACA was created in 2012, providing protection and work permits to more than 500,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. as children.

Who are Today’s DACA Recipients?

The average age of those enrolled in the DACA program is now about 31. California has the largest DACA population, with Texas as the home to the second-largest population. This is a highly diverse group who are active in the economy as workers, including many who are essential workers in healthcare, food production, and education.

The majority of these Dreamers were born in Mexico (81 percent), followed by other Latin American countries like El Salvador and Guatemala. More than half of all DACA recipients are female, and about 31 percent are married. DACA recipients are a vital part of the U.S. workforce; an estimated 29,000 are healthcare workers, and 14,900 are teachers.

What Will Happen if Judge Hanen Approves the Proposed DACA Plan?

If the judge approves the government plan, DACA recipients in Texas could find themselves with no income, career opportunities, or financial support. Those who make the decision to move from Texas to another state could find their DACA work permits also being revoked in those states. One DACA recipient, who is a 31-year-old nurse practitioner in Texas, is at risk of losing her work permit.

She earned her spot in nursing school with a 4.0 GPA in community college, which she attended while working a minimum-wage job. Although raised in Dallas, she is now considering a move to Colorado. Since Texas is the only state so far that has been able to prove it was "financially harmed" by DACA recipients in the state, the ruling only applies to Texas for now.

Contact a Dallas, TX DACA Lawyer

If you or a loved one is facing losing your work permit in Texas as a DACA recipient, consult with an experienced Plano, TX immigration attorney from Law Office of Jae Lee. Attorney Lee can work with his clients remotely when necessary. All clients will work directly with Attorney Lee, whose parents went through the immigration process. To schedule your free consultation, call 214-295-3014.