DACA Information

IMPORTANT UPDATE – PLEASE READ (as of June 18, 2020) – Here’s what you need to know about DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA): On June 18, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the DACA program, rejecting the Trump administration’s 2017 attempt to terminate the program. This decision restores the program completely, and both initial and renewal applications should be accepted by USCIS. However, at the present moment it does not appear that USCIS is accepting initial applications. We are waiting to hear more information from USCIS before submitting initial applications. Please check back with us for more information. Please see our statement on The Supreme Court’s DACA Decision and EBCLC’s Commitment to our Undocumented Community Members for more information on the status of DACA. Read full decision here. Read a summary of the decision here.

Informational Webinars: UC Immigrant Legal Services Center Upcoming Webinars (open to all) The UC Immigrant Legal Services Center will be hosting webinars tomorrow (Friday), Monday and Tuesday, to provide an overview on today’s ruling on DACA and more detailed information. We invite you to tune in: Friday June 19, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Monday June 22, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Tuesday June 23, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Zoom Meeting Link (no registration required): https://ucsb.zoom.us/j/95141492034?pwd=a2dtbUJjTEJRUDI5aHlVa3RzRkhSdz09 Central Valley DACA Breakdown Facebook Live (recording available): https://www.facebook.com/CviicFresno/ Additional News Sources: New York Times: Trump Can’t Immediately End DACA, Supreme Court Rules Initial DACA Applications This recent Supreme Court decision restores the program completely, and both initial and renewal applications should be accepted by USCIS. However, at the present moment it does not appear that USCIS is accepting initial applications. We are waiting to hear more information from USCIS before submitting initial applications. Please check back with us for more information. Eligible individuals who never had DACA can use our online appointment system to book an appointment with the USP legal team/East Bay Community Law Center. DACA Renewals UC Berkeley students who need assistance with their DACA renewals can use our online appointment system to book an appointment with the USP legal team/East Bay Community Law Center. We will prioritize DACA renewals that expire on or before February 20, 2021. If you cannot make one of these appointment times, or you have an urgent matter and no appointments are available, please contact the USP legal team at usplegal@ebclc.org. Feel free to reach out with any questions. DACA Renewal Clinics As of March 12, 2020, we will continue to complete DACA renewals using remote options, including by phone and Zoom appointments. If you are scheduled for an upcoming DACA Renewal Clinic, EBCLC will reach out to you directly with remote options to complete your DACA renewal with us. Please email usplegal@ebclc.org if the sole reason for the appointment is a DACA renewal. Biometrics (Fingerprinting) Appointments On Monday, March 30, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will reuse previously submitted biometrics in order to process valid Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, extension requests due to the temporary closure of Application Support Centers (ASC) to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Allow Reuse of Some Biometrics Applicants who had an appointment scheduled with an ASC on or after the March 18, 2020 USCIS closures or who filed an I-765 extension will have their application processed using previously submitted biometrics. This will remain in effect until ASCs resume normal operations. Rescheduling Biometrics Appointments If your biometrics appointment was scheduled before March 17, 2020 and you were unable to attend due to COVID-19, you can reschedule your appointment without penalty. Appointment notices contain instructions to reschedule appointments. Please contact your caseworker or usplegal@ebclc.org for assistance with rescheduling your biometrics appointment. For more information, please consult this resource at the National Immigration Law Center. Last updated on 6/23/20.

What Is DACA?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a kind of administrative relief from deportation. The purpose of DACA is to protect eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children from deportation. DACA gives young undocumented immigrants: 1) protection from deportation, and 2) a work permit. The program expires after two years, subject to renewal.

What Are The Requirements For DACA?

You were under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012;

You first came to the United States before your 16th birthday;

You have lived continuously in the United States from June 15, 2007 until the present;

You were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012 and at the time you apply;

You came to the United States without documents before June 15, 2012, or your lawful status expired as of June 15, 2012;

You are currently studying, or you graduated from high school or earned a certificate of completion of high school or GED, or have been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or military (technical and trade school completion also qualifies); and

You have NOT been convicted of a felony, certain significant misdemeanors (including a single DUI), or three or more misdemeanors of any kind. Consult with an attorney about ANY contact you have had with law enforcement or immigration authorities.

What’s The Process to Renew My DACA?

Get Help: Don’t apply alone. If you’re a Berkeley student, we encourage you to make an appointment with the USP Legal Team to discuss eligibility for a DACA renewal and/or other immigration benefits. Collect Evidence: See below for a detailed list of required documents. Remember to only send copies (not originals) of supporting documents. Complete Applications: G-28 – Notice of Entry of Appearance As Attorney (Optional)

G-1145 – E-Notification (Optional)

Form I-821D – Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals;

Form I-765 – Application for a Work Permit;

Form I-765WS – Worksheet explaining your economic need to work; and

Copy of front/back of current Work Permit. Submit Applications: Include all supporting documents, two photos and fees. The fee is $495.00 (pay using a check or money order payable to Department of Homeland Security). If you are a UC Berkeley student, your application fees will be covered by USP. Mail to: USCIS Phoenix Lockbox, PO Box 20700, Phoenix, Arizona 85036-0700 Background Check and Fingerprints: You will receive a receipt by mail that contains your receipt number and an appointment notice to get your fingerprints taken for a background check. Final Steps: Once you have been fingerprinted, you will receive either a letter asking for additional information (called a Request for Evidence) or a final decision. Approvals of DACA renewals are sometimes received as quickly as five weeks, but often take a several months from the date of application.

How do I Apply for DACA if it’s my First Application Ever?

This recent Supreme Court decision restores the program completely, and both initial and renewal applications should be accepted by USCIS. However, at the present moment it does not appear that USCIS is accepting initial applications. We are waiting to hear more information from USCIS before submitting initial applications. Please check back with us for more information. Eligible individuals who never had DACA can use our online appointment system to book an appointment with the USP legal team/East Bay Community Law Center.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR AN INITIAL APPLICATION:

Proof of Identity and Date of Birth

Birth Certificate

Passport

Consular I.D./National I.D./Cédula

California ID

School ID

Proof That You Were Physically Present in the U.S. on 6/15/2012

A verifiable, formal document with your name and the date 6/15/2012; or

An official document with your name and a date just before 6/15/2012, and another dated just after 6/15/12.

(Examples: school records, pay check stubs, bank statements, credit card receipts, etc.)

Proof You Had 5 Years of Continuous Residence in the U.S. (June 2007 – Present)

(If you don’t have school records/transcripts showing that you were present in the U.S. continuously for the past 5 years, provide 1 document for every three months from June 2007 through to the present month).

School Records

Financial Records (taxes, bank statements, credit card bills, rent receipts, utility bills, phone bills)

Employment Records (pay stubs)

Medical Records (physicals, vaccination records, prescriptions, dental records, etc.)

Other records: religious certificates, volunteer records, personal statements, etc.

Proof You Are In School, Have a High School Diploma/GED, or Were Honorably Discharged from the Military

School Transcript or Report Cards if currently studying;

High School Diploma or GED Certificate; or

Military Discharge Papers

Proof That You Entered the U.S. Before the Age of 16

School Records

Medical Records (vaccinations, physicals, etc.)

Expired Visa, I-94 card, or Passport with Entry Stamp

Discuss other forms of proof with a legal advisor

Proof That You Are Not Ineligible Due to a Criminal Conviction or a Threat to National Security/Public Safety

All applicants will be fingerprinted and subject to a background check of all police, juvenile, and immigration records. If you have ever had contact with the police or immigration authorities, get a copy of your records to review with an attorney before applying for DACA. We can explain how to do this. (Examples: criminal court records, juvenile court records, driving record from DMV, state criminal background check results, FBI background check results, etc.)

Passport Photos

Two passport-size color photos.

DACA RENEWAL

WHO CAN APPLY FOR DACA RENEWAL?

You are still eligible for DACA renewal even if:

You are now over 31. You cannot age out of the program.

You have graduated or are studying at a different school or program.

WHEN TO APPLY FOR DACA RENEWAL?

It is important to apply for renewal on time to avoid losing protection from deportation, being without valid work authorization, and accruing unlawful presence once your Deferred Action relief expires.

As there are ongoing lawsuits around DACA, there is some uncertainty about what will happen to DACA in the end. For now, DACA renewals are being accepted and on November 12, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument on the legal validity of the DACA program. A decision is expected no later than June 2020. The Supreme Court did not “stay” any of the lower court orders, which means that DACA recipients who currently have or previously had DACA can continue to submit applications to renew their DACA. Please reach out to the USP Legal Team through usplegal@ebclc.org for advice about your particular case and the latest developments.

WHAT’S THE PROCESS?

Get Help: If you are a UC Berkeley student, we encourage you to make an appointment with the Legal Services Program to discuss possible travel or other immigration issues. It is particularly important to speak with a lawyer if your DACA was terminated in the past or you have had any encounters with law enforcement since your last renewal. USP will provide fee assistance to current UC Berkeley students. Calculate When to Apply for Renewal: Given the pending case at the Supreme Court, the USP Legal Team is renewing DACA for any UC Berkeley students regardless of the expiration date. Historically, we advised individuals to submit their renewal application at least 150 days (five months) before their DACA and work permit expired. We do not recommend filing it any later than four months in advance. Complete Applications: Form I-821D – Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Indicate this is a renewal application and only complete sections required for renewal applicants. Provide updated information in those sections.

Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization (EAD). Indicate the application is for a renewal EAD (work permit). List your current status as “DACA recipient,” and for question 16 the eligibility category is (C)(33).

Form I-765WS – Worksheet. Briefly explain your economic need to work. Submit Applications: Include two passport photos, copy of current work permit and fee. The fee is $495.00. USP will provide fee assistance to current UC Berkeley students. Pay using a check or money order payable to the Department of Homeland Security. Mailing address for California residents:

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox, P.O. Box 20700, Phoenix, Arizona 85036-0700 Schedule Appointment: You will receive a receipt by mail and a biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment notice. Final Steps: After being fingerprinted, you will either receive a letter asking for additional information (called a Request for Evidence) or a final decision.

WHAT DO I INCLUDE IN THE RENEWAL APPLICATION?

Information:

Your renewal application is an update to your initial application. Update your address, any travel you did under advance parole, any arrests or criminal issues that took place since your initial application, and any contact with immigration authorities or the immigration court since your first application.

Make sure that the information in your renewal application is consistent with your initial DACA application. If you need a copy of your initial application, you can request one by filing Form G-639 with USCIS. If your address has changed, include the new address on the application and complete a change of address with USCIS, which you must complete any time your address changes.

Documentation:

You do not need to submit or re-submit any documentation with your renewal application — just a copy of the front/back of your work permit and any updated addresses/places of residence since you last applied.

The exception is if there has been a change since your initial application regarding your Immigration Record (your case is pending in immigration court, you were detained by immigration authorities, etc.), or your Criminal Record (you were arrested, detained, and/or convicted of a crime). If either of these apply to you, consult an attorney, make sure your application reflects this new information, and submit evidence that this change in your situation does not impact your DACA eligibility (for example, the court disposition regarding a criminal case or an immigration judge’s order closing your case).

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Information about the Renewal Process and Forms

These old USCIS Frequently Asked Questions about DACA still apply with some changes that are explained in the link provided above

Additional DACA Resources

Information provided by East Bay Community Law Center, usplegal@ebclc.org.

Last updated on 6/23/20.