Expert DACA Lawyer in Texas Ready to Assist
Legal Protection for Dreamers
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a discretionary relief program administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is designed to postpone deportation or removal proceedings for individuals who entered the country as minors without proper documentation, often alongside their parents. Our experienced DACA lawyers are here to help you navigate the process and protect your rights.
What is DACA? Why apply?
DACA offers a two-year period of protection against deportation, with the possibility to be renewed. Although it does not mean legal status for the individual, it does contain the following immigration benefits:
- You get protection from deportation.
- Eligibility for a work permit.
- Eligibility for a work permit and a Social Security Number, which can enable you to access benefits, including applying for a driver’s license.
Akpassa Law Firm is a specialist DACA lawyer in Texas. We are here for the Dreamers!
DACA eligibility requirements
You may be eligible for DACA if:
- You were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012 (i.e., you were born after June 15, 1981).
- You arrived in the United States before your 16th birthday.
- You have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present.
- You were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of applying for DACA with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- You did not have legal status on June 15, 2012.
- If you are currently enrolled in school (including vocational or adult education), have graduated, obtained a high school certificate of completion, earned a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or if you are a veteran honorably discharged by the Coast Guard or the United States Armed Forces.
- You have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or more than three misdemeanors, and you do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
In addition, you must be at least 15 years old at the time of submitting your DACA application, unless you are in deportation proceedings and can apply earlier. It is important that you consult with a specialized DACA lawyer in Texas to assist you and answer all your questions.
How to apply for DACA?
Due to a Texas court ruling in 2021 and subsequent actions in September 2023, USCIS is not currently processing new DACA applications. However, renewal of existing DACA status is still ongoing.
When to fill out a DACA renewal application?
If your two years have passed, and you need to submit a DACA renewal application, you must do so at least 120 days (4 months) before it expires. The DACA expiration date is on the front of your Employment Authorization Card.
The cares and dangers of DACA
Applying for and/or renewing DACA is not an easy process. Like everything related to immigration in the United States, it is full of fine print that must be paid extreme attention to. For this reason, you should always fill out all your applications and consult all your doubts with a legal service specialized in DACA.
At Akpassa Law Firm, we can help you. Contact our team to get your DACA lawyer in Texas.
