The benefits of having a DACA work permit are:

1. Live in the US without fear of deportation;

2. Work legally in the US;

3. Get a social security number;

4. Get or renew a driver’s license; and

5. File your tax returns.

You may qualify for the DACA work permit, if you:

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;

2. You entered the US before you turned 16 years of age;

3. You have physically lived and remained in the United States since June 15, 2012 until now; and

4. You are currently in school, have graduated high school or obtained a GED, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Coast Guard or Armed Forces; and

5. You must have a clean criminal record.

The DACA application process is a one-step simple process:

1. Document Checklist – When you hire our law firm, our DACA immigration attorney will provide you with a tailored checklist of the documents required to prepare your DACA application;

2. Prepare and Submit application – Once you have provided us with the requested documents, we will prepare and submit your DACA application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

DACA renewals are issued for 2 years at a time. The most important issue with renewing is that you file early, before your permit expires. Ideally, your DACA renewal application should be filed no later than 4 to 5 months before the expiration of your current DACA permit. This means that you should contact our immigration attorney at least 6 months before your DACA expires. So, start the DACA renewal process early to keep your work permit and driver’s license from expiring.

1. What will happen to the DACA program under President Trump?

President Trump tried to cancel the DACA program on September 5, 2017, but the Federal Courts stopped its complete cancellation. New applicants for DACA are not being accepted, but people who have received DACA before may continue to renew. Until further notice from the courts, DACA permits may be renewed.

2. Can I apply for DACA if I never finished high school?

Yes, but at the time that your application is filed, you must be enrolled in school. So, if you never finished high school, you may go back to high school or you may enroll in a different kind of school, such as an education, literacy, English language or career training school. Another option is to enroll in GED classes. If you are uncertain as whether a certain education program qualifies you for the DACA work permit, please consult with one of our DACA immigration attorneys.