Assistance With DACA Renewals And First-Time Applications

More than half a million people who came to the United States illegally as children are able to stay in the U.S. through an immigration policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. In simplest terms, those now-grown immigrants are protected from removal proceedings (deportation) as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC, has helped many undocumented people obtain or renew their DACA status so they can continue living their tenuous version of the American dream. Contact us for help if:

• You never applied for DACA because you feared coming out of the shadows
• You need to renew your DACA status before it expires
• You are worried about losing DACA protection because you missed the deadline or did something that would make you ineligible

Who Is Eligible For DACA?

DACA was originally intended as a path to citizenship, but the Dream Act was never passed by the U.S. Congress. As an alternative, President Barack Obama issued by executive order the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA applies to immigrants who:

• Were born on or after June 16, 1981
• Entered the country illegally before the age of 16
• Have lived in the U.S. continuously since 2007
• Had no lawful status when the program started in June 2012
• Were physically present in the U.S. in June 2012
• Have completed high school, are currently enrolled in school or were honorably discharged from the U.S. military
• Have not been convicted of a felony crime or a serious misdemeanor or more than two lesser misdemeanors

What Does DACA Status Do?

DACA defers (postpones) any removal actions based on the individual’s unauthorized presence in the U.S. It does not grant lawful status, though it does permit recipients to work in the United States or attend school without discrimination. It is not a path to a green card (permanent resident status) or naturalization (citizenship). DACA recipients can only attain citizenship through marriage to a U.S. citizen. A person does not age out of DACA, but it must be renewed every two years.

DACA recipients – commonly known as “Dreamers” in reference to the Dream Act – are stuck in limbo. There have been many legal challenges to the program and Congress has not acted to permanently defer removal actions nor to create a path to citizenship for the estimated 600,000 Dreamers. Until then, it’s better than the alternative of being deported to another county you barely remember when the United States is the only home you’ve known.

Are You Eligible? Is DACA Still Available? Need Help With Renewal?

Our immigration lawyers can answer your questions about your specific situation in a free and confidential consultation. Please call Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC, at 478-845-5349 or contact us online.