Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal program that was first implemented in 2012 under the Obama administration. DACA provides eligible undocumented young adults with access to temporary relief from deportation and work authorization. With DACA, many undocumented young adults have been able to secure employment, pursue their higher education goals, obtain a driver’s license, and more.

Since September 5, 2017, DACA has been in limbo after the Trump administration announced its intent to terminate the program. This means that for more than seven years, the fate of DACA has remained uncertain following court litigation. (For a helpful overview of court cases and ongoing litigation surrounding DACA, see this article by Fwd.Us). This has caused great stress, fear, and anxiety among DACA recipients. It has also prevented thousands of undocumented young adults from benefiting from DACA since USCIS (the agency responsible for overseeing DACA requests) has stopped accepting initial DACA applications and is only reviewing renewal requests. More specifically, the Migration Policy Institute estimates that “58,000 youth aged into DACA eligibility since the Trump administration attempted to end the program in September 2017, but have mostly been barred from access.” This means that since late 2017, many undocumented students have been graduating from high school without the possibility of being able to apply and benefit from DACA despite meeting the eligibility requirements.

If your DACA expires in 4 to 5 months, make sure to renew your DACA!

In light of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding DACA and the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential elections, it is imperative for DACA recipients to submit their DACA renewal applications on time. USCIS recommends submitting DACA renewal requests 120 to 150 days (4 to 5 months) before the date of expiration on your current DACA. Not sure if it is time to submit your DACA renewal application or if it is still too early to do so? Check out this DACA Calculator created by the National Immigration Law Center where you can see the window in which you should submit your DACA renewal request based on the expiration date of your employment authorization document (EAD). For information about who is eligible to renew their DACA, what documents and forms are necessary, and how much it costs to renew DACA, please visit USCIS’s official website.

If you need help covering the costs associated with your DACA renewal application, and you are a student, it may be helpful to see if there are any campus resources available. If you are a student, faculty, or staff at a California Community College (CCC), for example, and need help with your DACA renewal application, you may have access to free legal services and financial assistance to cover the application fees through the CCC Immigration Services Project. If you are attending a University of California campus, then you may consider reaching out to the staff working at a Dream Center (or Undocumented Student Program) in your specific campus or the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center.

If you live outside of California or are not currently enrolled in school, there are also resources available! Informed Immigrant created a helpful tool where you can find help near you. United We Dream also compiled a list of organizations across the country that may be providing DACA renewal assistance. If you’re a DACA recipient of Mexican origin, the Mexican consulate may also have resources available. United We Dream compiled a helpful list of local Mexican Consulates. Voto Latino (a civic engagement organization) is helping connect DACA recipients with King & Spalding LLP (their pro bono legal counsel) to help evaluate your circumstances and determine if you qualify for their financial assistance which can help cover your DACA renewal filing fees (if eligible). You can learn more their Undocu Neighbor Fund here.

If you are an undocumented young adult, with or without DACA, it is important to surround yourself with family, friends, mentors, and others who are supportive and understanding especially during these uncertain and challenging times. We also encourage you to browse through resources shared in our platform, as well as to check out the work of other organizations and projects like the UndocuBasic Needs Project, Pre-Health Dreamers, Immigrants Rising, and UndocuProfessionals, among others. Remember: You are not alone and there are resources available!

At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advance Parole, news on DAPA, and much more. Most importantly, we want to provide a sense of community to our diverse group of readers. Learn more about our work here: “About Us“

Categories: DACA, Renewing DACA

Tags: DACA, DACA renewal, Immigration, undocumented