WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A federal judge has ruled the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services begin accepting applications for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). 

Karen Salinas is a photographer and DACA recipient in Winston-Salem. While she's excited she can continue reapplying for her status under the ruling, she is especially excited for those applying for the first time.

Salinas is a mother to a four-year-old boy. DACA allows her to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. Even though her son is a citizen, she said the restoration of DACA is crucial to his future.

"It makes me feel secure and stable. I definitely don't have that fear that I'll have to leave the country at any time and be able to live a good life with my son and my family," she says.

Salinas says she is even more hopeful because President-Elect Joe Biden says he plans to undo many of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

"They're already making so many moves for us and they're prioritizing our call, so I think that it's going to be amazing and pretty soon we're going to be seeing even more results, so I'm hopeful," she added.