Trump himself said last week he would consider acting on his own to extend the March 5 date. “I certainly have the right to do that if I want,” he told reporters.

Even before those comments, the date’s significance had begun to dissipate. On Jan. 9, a federal judge in California ordered DHS to resume processing renewal applications, saying the government hadn’t given a “reasoned explanation” for ending the program.

The administration didn’t seek to block that ruling while a legal challenge continues; instead it reinstated the policy that had applied before September. That policy encourages people to file renewal applications 120 to 150 days before their DACA status will expire and says people can file even further in advance if they want.

The upshot is that people can now seek renewal even if their status doesn’t expire until June and perhaps even later.