Obama creates DACA through a DHS memorandum

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano issued a memorandum on June 15, 2012, establishing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The policy granted two-year renewable deferrals of deportation and work authorization to undocumented individuals who entered the US before age 16, were under 31, and met education or military service requirements. The action applied to an estimated 800,000 people.