Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

In compliance with an order of a United States District Court, effective December 7, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is:

• Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
• Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
• Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA policy prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
• Extending one-year grants of deferred action under DACA to two years; and
• Extending one-year employment authorization documents under DACA to two years.

In order to be eligible for an initial DACA you must:

• Be under 31 years of age as of June 15, 2021;
• Arrived in the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
• Have been present in the United States on June 15, 2012 and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
• Have had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
• Be currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general educational development (GED) certificate, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

An individual may be considered for Renewal of DACA if they meet the guidelines for Initial DACA AND they:

• Did not depart the United States on or after August 15, 2012 without advance parole;
• Have continuously y resided in the United States since he or she submitted his or her most recent request for DACA that was approved up to the present time; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safe

DHS will comply with the order while it remains in effect, but DHS may seek relief from the order. This is why it is so important to get your applications in AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.