DACA: Facebook-backed group helping to fund 'Dreamer' immigration applications

Pro-immigration group founded by Mark Zuckerberg seeks to help immigrants in the US with 'extraordinary' $495 visa renewal expenses

Recipients for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme have until October to renew their permit (REUTERS)

FWD.us, a pro-immigration group co-founded by Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, is raising funds to help undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children reapply for a programme that shields them from deportation.

President Donald Trump moved to rescind in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which protects immigrants brought into the country illegally by their parents.

Such immigrants, known as Dreamers, who have work permits that expire before March can apply to renew them for another two years, if they do so before 5 October.

But the $495 (£368) application fee is an “extraordinary and unexpected expense” for many who are students or low-wage earners, FWD.us said in a statement.

FWD.us is working with United We Dream and other lobby groups to raise money for The DACA Renewal Fund operated by ActBlue Charities, an online group with close ties to the Democratic Party.

FWD.us was launched in 2013 by Mr Zuckerberg and his Harvard University friend, entrepreneur Joe Green, to lobby for changes to US immigration policies. It advocates the issuance of more work permits and entrepreneur visas for immigrants who plan to start companies.

Technology companies such as Apple, Alphabet’s Google, Microsoft and Facebook have made strong public statements against President Trump’s policy and voiced support for employees affected by the change.

None of those companies immediately responded to requests for comment.

Bloomberg