USCIS Issues Procedure for Extending “Deferred Action Status” of Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson today announced the renewal process for hundreds of thousands of young non-citizens who received a grant of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Renewal of DACA ensures current DACA holders will continue to be safe from deportation for another two year period. In addition, they will continue to have work authorization and to be eligible to receive a social security number, and, in nearly every state, a driver’s license.
DACA recipients are encouraged to request renewal between four to five months ahead of their expiration date to avoid a lapse, the earliest major wave of DACA recipients – who received their DACA grants in September and October of 2012 – will need to act right away. Although DACA recipients who seek to renew must complete multiple applications and submit to a background check, most will be pleased to discover that the renewal process is relatively straightforward and that most DACA recipients should qualify for renewal.
As of April 2014, more than 560,000 individuals have received DACA. USCIS states that individuals who initially qualified for DACA will be eligible to renew unless they engaged in certain criminal activity, departed the country without the government’s permission, or stopped residing in the United States. No one with DACA will be too old to renew, and individuals enrolled in school at the time of their initial application will not be disqualified for ceasing to attend school.
To request renewal, DACA recipients will have to file updated DACA and employment authorization applications, pay a $465 filing fee (unless exempt), and submit to a background check. Timing is key, since DACA renewers do not want to let their employment authorization lapse.
Also, it is not too late for qualifying persons to file an initial DACA application. Initial registration remains open.
Here are USCIS’ links to everything a DACA applicant needs to know.
- DHS Press Release
- USCIS Invitation to a 6/5/14 Teleconference on DACA Renewal Process
- USCIS Page with DACA Information
- USCIS Form I-821D Page
- USCIS Form I-821D Instructions
- USCIS DACA Renewal Page
- USCIS Form I-821D, Revision Date 6/4/14
- USCIS DACA FAQs
- Guidance for Individuals Granted DACA By ICE
- Practice Alert on USCIS Renewal Information for Individuals Granted DACA By ICE
