Urgently Assessing Relocation Options for DACA Employees

A client had several hundred employees across the United States with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. After the Trump Administration announced its intent to terminate the DACA programme, the client sought Fragomen's assistance in formulating strategies for this employee population. Whilst the population included employees at a variety of job levels, many of the employees were unlikely to be able to change to another immigration status, as they worked in lower-skilled positions or did not hold college degrees.

Fragomen assessed whether any of the 30+ other jurisdictions in which the client had a local presence could serve as a suitable relocation option for any of the potentially impacted employees. To do so, Fragomen's Knowledge team leveraged its in-house knowledge management tools to prepare a preliminary relocation feasibility assessment matrix within 48 hours of the client's request. The matrix rated the feasibility of the potential relocation jurisdictions, using an "easy/medium/hard" approach. The feasibility ratings were based on a combination of working assumptions about the employees' educational levels and their nationalities, each jurisdiction's work authorisation rules and potential work authorisation exemptions.

The matrix served as a valuable quick reference tool for the client's senior leadership, including its CEO, providing a clear picture of what the company could do if the DACA repeal took effect. The CEO used the matrix to prepare for meetings with policy makers, and local stakeholders used it as a reference point when addressing questions from employees who were facing an uncertain future.