Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program for undocumented immigrants created in 2012 through executive action by then-President Barack Obama. It offers protection from deportation for two years and a two-year work permit.
The legislation is meant to shield those undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, often due to circumstances beyond their control. Former President Trump attempted to dismantle the program, but President Joe Biden reinstated it in January, 2021.
Learn more about DACA, if you qualify, and how to apply or renew your status online.
Is DACA Still Available?
Yes, DACA is still available to both apply for and renew. The White House issued a memorandum ensuring that DACA will continue and receive support. However, if you want to apply or renew, you will have to fill out the proper forms. Always apply or renew early to avoid any risks or complications down the line.
Who Qualifies for DACA?
DACA’s eligibility requirements include an education requirement, an age requirement, and a required amount of time spent living in the U.S. The general requirements for consideration of DACA are as follows:
- You were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2021
- Came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and have lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007
- Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2021, and during the time of your application
- Had no lawful status in the U.S. on June 15, 2012
- Currently in school, graduated high school, obtained a GED, or honorably discharged from the armed services
- Do not pose a threat to the U.S. and have no criminal record
The new expanded DACA application will change these requirements, making more people eligible. For example, there will no longer be an upper age requirement. It’s best to thoroughly review the application and its guidelines to ensure you qualify.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for or Renew DACA?
The USCIS fee for filing Form I-821D costs $520. In addition, the agency requires an $85 general fee. Unfortunately, the USCIS won’t refund your money, even if your application gets denied.
FileRight application package preparation fee is $295.
Because of this, it is extremely important that you fill out all your forms and provide the correct supporting documents. One small mistake can cause time and money to go down the drain.
What Are the Wait Times After Applying or Renewing?
You may wonder what the wait times are for renewals or first-time applications. You can always check the USCIS website for status updates on your application or to get support. In addition, they provide general time frames that can give you an idea of how long it will take to process your application.
As a general rule of thumb, expect to wait several months for everything to get finalized. Since the wait times are usually always long, you should always aim to get a head start on filing your paperwork.
Can I Travel Freely with DACA?
DACA does not give its recipients the right to travel outside of the U.S. or its territories. If you need to travel internationally, you’ll need to apply for advance parole with the USCIS. Advanced parole can be very tough to get, and there’s no guarantee that they’ll grant you permission unless it’s for education or very personal reasons.
Does DACA Offer a Path to Citizenship?
While DACA recipients get to live and work in the U.S. in two-year intervals, it doesn’t provide any direct pathway to citizenship. However, so long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for permanent residency. Once you get your green card, you can then eventually obtain citizenship through naturalization.
DACA doesn’t offer any fast track towards permanent residency either. To speed up the process, it’s possible to get a green card quicker if you get sponsored by a family member that’s a U.S. citizen or marry a U.S. citizen.
How Can I Get Help Applying for DACA?
FileRight will walk you through each and every application question, providing helpful explanations along the way. We also have a bilingual (English and Spanish) customer support team available to answer your questions about FileRight.
Our technology checks your application for errors and provides you customized filing instructions, letting you know where to send your application and what documents to include with it. We’re so confident in our services that we’ll refund your money if your application gets denied, including government fees.
