A federal court has issued a ruling that narrows the pathway to citizenship for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The decision addresses how DACA recipients may travel abroad and their eligibility to obtain green cards. It limits options for many in the program who previously used travel to advance their immigration status.

Some DACA recipients can still safely travel under the ruling. However, others face significant risks, particularly those with existing deportation orders, who could encounter reentry bans upon return to the United States.

The ruling reinforces stricter enforcement of immigration procedures for this group. DACA, established in 2012, has provided temporary protection from deportation for certain individuals brought to the country as children, but it does not confer legal status or a direct route to citizenship.

Legal experts note that the changes primarily affect advance parole requests tied to green card applications. Recipients without deportation orders retain more flexibility for travel that complies with program rules.

The decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges to DACA and related immigration policies. It is expected to prompt further reviews of individual cases by immigration authorities.