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Los Angeles DACA Lawyers
How Do I Apply for DACA?
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) allows certain undocumented people who were brought to the U.S. as children (due to no fault of their own) to remain in the U.S. for two years, subject to periodic renewal. In addition to permission to stay in the U.S., DACA recipients in LA are also eligible to work.
While DACA does defer removal for certain individuals, it does not provide recipients with legal immigration status. You can request DACA in Los Angeles if you meet the requirements. Although, applying for DACA can be a complex process. That’s why it’s essential to work with a DACA immigration lawyer in Los Angeles that you can trust. At Best Immigration Lawyer in LA, our goal is to help as many DACA recipients as we can to stay in Los Angeles for as long as possible.
Notable California and Los Angeles DACA Facts
California is home to the most DACA recipients in the U.S. With that in mind, DACA recipients and their families have become an integral part of the community. Take a look at a few notable DACA statistics below.
- 28% of DACA recipients in the U.S. live in California
- 14% of recipients in CA live in Los Angeles
- More than 80% of DACA recipients come from Mexico
- The average age of arrival for DACA recipients in Los Angeles is 7
- There are more than 29,000 DACA recipients in LA
- DACA recipients pay more than $260 million annually in federal taxes
At the Best Immigration Lawyer in LA, our DACA lawyers understand how much DACA recipients mean to LA. Contact us today to learn about how we can help you apply or renew DACA.
Understanding DACA
Nearly 1.8 million people are eligible for DACA. However, there are only about 800,000 individuals who have enrolled. In some cases, low enrollment rates result from a lack of appropriate education and outreach surrounding DACA.
For that reason, we’ve provided a general overview of the DACA program in Los Angeles below.
- DACA offers administrative protection to certain individuals who were unlawfully brought to the U.S. as children. These children are often referred to as “Dreamers.”
- Dreamers have the right to work and live in LA
- DACA does not currently offer a path to citizenship
- As of December 4, 2020, the U.S. government is accepting new DACA applications
Before applying for DACA status, you should be aware of the qualifications and what can potentially disqualify you. Learn more about DACA qualifications in Los Angeles below.
Who Qualifies for DACA in LA?
To qualify for DACA in LA, you must meet the following requirements:
- You entered the U.S. unlawfully before turning 16
- You have lived continuously in the U.S. since June 15, 2007
- You were born on or after June 16, 1981
- You had no legal immigration status on June 15, 2012
- You were in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and in the U.S. when applying for DACA
- You have a High school diploma, GED, current college enrollment, or honorable discharge from the military
- You don’t have any serious criminal convictions or more than three misdemeanors
The qualifications, application process, and availability are subject to change at any time. If you qualify for DACA but haven’t applied yet, now is the time to do it. We can help. Contact us today.
How to Renew DACA in Los Angeles
USCIS recommends applicants submit DACA renewal applications within 120 to 150 days of their expiration date. However, they will accept renewal applications as early as 1-year before your DACA status expires. The DACA renewal process includes the following:
- Complete Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (be sure to use the most updated form)
- Complete the Application for Employment Authorization (I-765) and the accompanying worksheet
- Submit the forms to USCIS
- Provide additional documents if you’ve been convicted of a crime, involved in removal proceeding since your last DACA approval or they’ve been requested for other reasons
In most cases, renewing DACA eligibility in LA is a straightforward process. However, if you have complicated circumstances, it’s typically in your best interest to consult with a proven DACA lawyer in Los Angeles before proceeding.