Frequently Asked Questions

ALERT: Court Decisions Regarding DACA

On Sept. 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a decision finding the DACA Final Rule unlawful and expanding the original July 16, 2021 injunction and order of vacatur to cover the Final Rule. However, the court maintained a partial stay of the order for “all DACA recipients who received their initial DACA status prior to July 16, 2021.” See the Memorandum and Order (PDF, 1.35 MB)and Supplemental Order of Injunction (PDF, 72.53 KB).

Accordingly, current grants of DACA and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) remain valid until they expire, unless individually terminated. In accordance with this decision, USCIS will continue to accept and process DACA renewal requests and accompanying applications for employment authorization under the DACA regulations at 8 CFR 236.22 and 236.23, as it has since October 31, 2022. We will also continue to accept initial DACA requests, but in accordance with the District Court’s order, we will not process initial DACA requests.

Current valid grants of DACA and related EADs will continue to be recognized as valid under the Final Rule. This means that individuals with DACA and related EADs do not have to submit a request for DACA or employment authorization until the appropriate time to seek renewal.

Please see theDACA Litigation Information Pagefor important updates and information related to court rulings on the DACA policy.

General Information for All Requestors
- What Is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals?
- DACA Process
- Background Checks
- After USCIS Makes a Decision
Initial Requests for DACA
Renewal of DACA
Travel
Criminal Convictions
Employment Authorization
Miscellaneous

I. General Information for All Requestors

A. What Is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals?

As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to focus its enforcement resources on those who pose the greatest threat to homeland security, DHS will exercise prosecutorial discretion as appropriate to ensure that enforcement resources are not expended on individuals who do not fall into this category, such as individuals who came to the United States as children and meet other key guidelines. Individuals who demonstrate that they meet the guidelines below may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) for a period of 2 years, subject to renewal for a period of 2 years, and may be eligible for employment authorization.

USCIS may approve a request for DACA only if we determine, in our sole discretion, that you meet each of the following threshold criteria and merit a favorable exercise of discretion:

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981);
Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the time of filing your request for DACA;
Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time you filed your request for DACA with USCIS;
Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012, and at the time you filed your request for DACA, meaning that:

You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012*, or
Any lawful immigration status or parole that you had before June 15, 2012, expired on or before June 15, 2012, and
Any lawful status that you had after June 15, 2012, expired or otherwise terminated before you submitted your request for DACA;

Are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completionfrom high school, have obtained a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

* Please review Q19 below if you are currently in a lawful immigration status.

Individuals can call USCIS at 800-375-5283 with questions or to request more information on DACA.If you have a pending request, we have online self-help toolsyou can use to check your case status and processing times, change your address, and send an inquiry about a case pending longer than posted processing times or about non-delivery of a card or document.

Q1: What is deferred action?
A1: Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion. For purposes of future inadmissibility based on prior periods ofunlawful presence in the United States, an individual is not considered to be unlawfully present during the period when deferred action is in effect. An individual who has received deferred action is authorized by DHS to be in the United States for the duration of the deferred action period. Deferred action recipients are also considered to be lawfully present as described in 8 C.F.R. sec. 1.3(a)(4)(vi) for purposes of eligibility for certain public benefits (such as certain Social Security benefits) during the period of deferred action. However, deferred action does not conferlawful immigration statusupon an individual, nor does it excuse any previous or subsequent periods of unlawful presence they may have.

Under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(33), an individual who has been granted deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21 through 236.23, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, may receive employment authorization for the period of deferred action, provided they can demonstrate “an economic necessity for employment.”

Under 8 CFR 236.23(d), USCIS may terminate a grant of DACA at any time, at the agency’s discretion. Please see Q28 for more information.

Q2: What is DACA?
A2: On June 15, 2012, the secretary of homeland security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of 2 years,subject to renewal, and, if approved, will then be eligible for work authorization if they can demonstrate economic necessity. On Aug. 30, 2022, DHS issued the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Final Rule to preserve and fortify the DACA policy. This rule, which puts into effect regulations at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25, rescinds and replaces the DACA guidance set forth in the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum. The final rule is effective as of Oct. 31, 2022.

Individuals who can demonstrate through verifiable documentation that they meet these guidelines will be considered for deferred action. We will make determinations on a case-by-case basis under the DACA final rule.

All guidance in these FAQs stems from the regulations at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.

Q3: I currently have DACA. How does the DACA Final Rule impact me?
A3: If you are a current DACA recipient, your grant of deferred action and related work authorization, as well as any DACA advance parole document issued, will remain in effect and will expire according to their existing terms. Any requests for renewals of those grants are now governed by the regulations at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 and not the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum.

Q4: Is there any difference between “deferred action” and DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A4: DACA is a form of deferred action. The relief an individual receives with a grant of DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 is identical for immigration purposes to the relief obtained by any person who receives deferred action as an act of prosecutorial discretion.

Q5: If my removal is deferred under the DACA final rule, am I eligible for employment authorization?
A5: Yes. Under the regulations at 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(33) , if you receive DACA under the DACA final rule, you may obtain employment authorization from USCIS provided you can demonstrate an economic necessity for employment.

Q6: If my case is deferred, am I in lawful status for the period of deferral?
A6: No. Although action on your case has been deferred and you do not accrue unlawful presence (for admissibility purposes) during the period of deferred action, deferred action does not confer any lawful immigration status.

The fact that you are not accruing unlawful presence does not change that you are in unlawful status while you remain in the United States. However, although deferred action does not confer a lawful immigration status, you may stay in the United States while your deferred action is in effect. For admissibility purposes, you will not accrue “unlawful presence” while you have deferred action. You are also considered to be “lawfully present” in the United States while you have deferred action for purposes of certain public benefits (such as certain Social Security benefits) as described in 8 C.F.R. sec. 1.3(a)(4)(vi). Federal law does not preventindividuals granted deferred action from establishing domicile in the United States.

Apart from the immigration laws, “lawful presence,” “lawful status” and similar terms are used in various other federal and state laws. For information on how those laws affect individuals who receive a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion under DACA, please contact the appropriate federal, state, or local authorities.

Note: It is a federal crime for a noncitizen who is “illegally or unlawfully in the United States,” among others, to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition, or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. See 18 U.S. 922(g)(5)(A). This prohibition applies to DACA recipients.

Q7: Can I renew my period of deferred action and employment authorization under DACA?
A7: Yes. You may request consideration for a renewal of your DACA. We will consider your request for a renewal on a case-by-case basis under 8 CFR 236.22-23.If USCIS renews its exercise of discretion under DACA for your case, you will receive deferred action for another2 years, and if you demonstrate an economic necessity for employment, youmay receiveemployment authorization for that period.

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B. DACA Process

Q8: How do I request consideration of DACA?
A8:To request consideration of DACA (either as an initial request or to request renewal), you must submitForm I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, to USCIS. Please visit theForm I-821Dwebpage before you begin the process to make sure you are using the most current version of the form available. You must complete this form, sign the form, and include the required filing fee of $85. With Form I-821D you must also submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, the required Form I-765 filing fee, andForm I-765WS, Worksheet (PDF, 243.14 KB), establishing your economic need for employment. If you fail to submit a completed Form I-765 (along with the worksheet and accompanying filing fees for that form, please see the Form I-821D page for more information), we will not consider your request for deferred action. Please read the form instructions to ensure you answer the appropriate questions (determined by whether you are submitting an initial or renewal request) and that you submit all the required documentation to support your initial request.

If you are making an initial DACA request, you must file your request for consideration of DACA at the USCIS Lockbox. You can find the mailing address and instructions on the Form I-821Dwebpage. After we receive your Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765 Worksheet, we will review them for completeness, including submission of the required fee, initial evidence and supporting documents (for initial filings). Pursuant to current court orders, USCIS is accepting initial DACA requests but cannot adjudicate them at this time. If you are submitting a renewal DACA request, you may file your request at the USCIS Lockbox or online.

Instructions for Online Filing (DACA Renewal Requests Only)

DACA recipients may submit a DACA renewal request online. To file Form I-821D and Form I-765 online, you must first create a USCIS online account, which provides a convenient and secure method to submit Form I-821D, Form I-765 and Form I-765WS, pay fees, and track the status of any pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process. There is no cost to create an account, which offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox and respond online to Requests for Evidence. For additional information on filing a DACA renewal request online, see the Form I-821Dwebpage. To be considered for DACA, you must submit Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765WS with your online DACA renewal requests.

After You Submit Your Request

If we determine your request is complete, we will send you a receipt notice. If you need to visit an Application Support Center (ASC) for biometric services, we will send you an appointment notice. Please make sure you read and follow the instructions in the notice. If you fail to attend your biometrics appointment, it may take longer for us to process your request for consideration of deferred action, or we may deny your request. You may also choose to receive an email or text message or both notifying you that we have accepted your form by completing aForm G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance.

We will review each request for consideration of DACA on an individual, case-by-case basis. We may request more information or evidence from you, or ask you to appear at a USCIS office. We will notify you of our determination in writing.

Note:All individuals who believe they meet the guidelines, including those in removal proceedings, with a final removal order, or with a voluntary departure order, may affirmatively request consideration of DACA from USCIS through this process. If you are currently in immigration detention and believe you meet the guidelines, you may request consideration of deferred action from USCIS, but we will not approve the request until you are released from detention. If you are requesting DACA, you should tell your deportation officer or follow directions at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) DACA webpage, which also has more information.

Q9: Can I obtain a fee waiver or fee exemption for this process?
A9: There are no fee waivers available for DACA requests or employment authorization applications connected to DACA. There are very limited fee exemptions available for Form I-821D and related Form I-765s. You must file a request for a fee exemption, and we must approve your request, before you file your Form I-821D and Form I-765 without fees. To be considered for a fee exemption, you must submit a letter and supporting documentation to USCIS demonstrating that you meet 1 of the following conditions:

You cannot care for yourself because you suffer from a serious, chronic disability and your income is less than 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level; or
You have, at the time of the request, accumulated$10,000or more in debt in the past 12 months as a result of unreimbursed medical expenses for yourself or an immediate family member, and your income is less than 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level; or
You are under 18 years of age, your income is less than 150% of the U.S. poverty level, and you are:
- homeless, or
- in foster care, or
- otherwise lacking any parental or other familial support.

You can find additional information on ourFee Exemption Guidancewebpage. Your fee exemption request must be submitted and decided before you submit a Form I-821D and related Form I-765 without fees. You must provide evidence that you meet any of the above conditions when you make the request. For evidence, we will accept:

Affidavits from community-based or religious organizations establishing that you are homeless or lack parental or other familial financial support;
Copies of tax returns, bank statement, pay stubs, or other reliable evidence of income level. Evidence can also include an affidavit from you or a responsible third party attesting that you do not file tax returns, have no bank accounts, or have no income to prove income level; and
Copies of medical records, insurance records, bank statements, or other reliable evidence of unreimbursed medical expenses of at least $10,000.

We will address factual questions through Requests for Evidence (RFEs).

Q10: If individuals meet the guidelines for consideration of DACA and are encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or ICE, will they be placed into removal proceedings?
A10: Under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, if an individual meets the guidelines for DACA, CBP or ICE should exercise their discretion on a case-by-case basis to prevent qualifying individuals from being apprehended, placed into removal proceedings, or removed. If individuals believe that, in light of this policy, they should not have been apprehended or placed into removal proceedings, contact your case officer or the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024 (staffed 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday); or emailERO.INFO@ice.dhs.gov

Q11: Does this process apply to me if I am currently in removal proceedings, have a final removal order, or have a voluntary departure order?
A11: This process is open to any individual who can demonstrate they meet the guidelines for DACA consideration under 8 CFR 236.21 – 236.25, including those who have never been in removal proceedings as well as those in removal proceedings, with a final order of removal, or with a voluntary departure order.

Q12: If I am not in removal proceedings but believe I meet the guidelines for consideration of DACA, should I seek to place myself into removal proceedings through encounters with CBP or ICE?
A12: No. If you are not in removal proceedings but believe that you meet the guidelines for DACA consideration under 8 CFR 236.21 – 236.25, you should submit your DACA request to USCIS under the process outlined below and at 8 CFR 236.23.

Q13: Can I request consideration of DACA from USCIS if I am in immigration detention under the custody of ICE?
A13: Yes. If you are currently in immigration detention, you may request consideration of DACA from USCIS. However, if we decide to grant you DACA, we will not approve your DACA request until you are released from detention. If you are requesting DACA, you should tell your deportation officer.

Q14: If I am about to be removed by ICE and believe that I meet the guidelines for consideration of DACA, what should I do to seek review ofmy case before removal?
A14:If you believe you can demonstrate that you meet the guidelines and are about to be removed, you should immediately contact your case officer or the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024 (staffed 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday) or emailERO.INFO@ice.dhs.gov.

C. Background Checks

Q23: Will USCIS conduct a background check when you review my request for DACA?
A23: Yes. You must undergo biographic and biometric background checks before we will consider your DACA request.

Q24: What do background checks involve?
A24: Background checks involve checking biographic and biometric information provided by an individual against a variety of databases maintained by DHS and other federal government agencies.

Q25: What steps will USCIS and ICE take if I engage in fraud through the new process?
A25: If you knowingly misrepresent information, or knowingly fail to disclose facts, in an effort to obtain DACA or work authorization through this process, DHS will treat you as an immigration enforcement priority to the fullest extent permitted by law, and you will be subject to criminal prosecution or removal from the United States or both.

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D. After USCIS Makes a Decision

Q26: Can I appeal USCIS’ determination?
A26: No. You cannot file a motion to reopen or reconsider and cannot administratively appeal the decision if we deny your DACA request.

You may request a review of your Form I-821D denial by contacting the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833. USCIS will not review its discretionary determination to deny your request for DACA. However, you can have a Service Request created if you believe that you actually met all of the DACA guidelines and that your request was denied because USCIS:

Denied the request based on abandonment, when you actually responded to an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) within the prescribed time;
Mailed the RFE or NOID to the wrong address although you had changed your address, either online atHow to Change Your Addressorwith a customer service representative on the phone and submitted a Form AR-11, Change of Address, before USCIS issued the RFE or NOID.
- To ensure the address is updated on a pending case as quickly as possible, we recommend that customerschange your address online. Please note that only an online change of address or a Form AR-11 submission will satisfy the legal requirements to notify us of an address change. Therefore, if you called a customer service representative to change your address, please be sure you also change your address online or with a Form AR-11.
Denied the request on the grounds that you did not come to the United States before your 16th birthday, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you did arrive before reaching that age.
Denied the request on the grounds that you were under age 15 at the time of filing but not in removal proceedings, while the evidence submitted at the time of filing show that you indeed were in removal proceedings when the request was filed;
Denied the request on the grounds that you were 31 or older as of June 15, 2012, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
Denied the request on the grounds that you had lawful status on June 15, 2012, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you indeed were in an unlawful immigration status on that date;
Denied the request on the grounds that you were not physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and up through the date of filing, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you were, in fact, present;
Denied on the grounds that you are not currently in school, have not graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have not obtained a GED certificate, and are not an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States;
Denied the request due to your failure to appear at a USCIS ASC where we may collect your biometrics, when you in fact either did appear at a USCIS ASC to have this done or requested before the scheduled date of your biometrics appointment to have the appointment rescheduled; or
Denied the request because you did not pay the filing fees for Form I-821D or Form I-765, when you actually did pay these fees.

Q27: If USCIS does not exercise deferred action in my case, will I be placed in removal proceedings?
A27: If USCIS denies your request for DACA under 8 CFR 236.23, we will not issue a Notice to Appear or refer your case to ICE for possible enforcement action based on our denial, unless we determine that your case involves denial for a criminal offense, fraud, a threat to national security, or public safety concerns. We may consider factors including, but not limited to, whether a misrepresentation is willful, material, and knowing in determining whether fraud is involved in a case.

Q28: Can USCIS terminate my DACA before it expires?
A28: Yes.DACA is an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, and under 8 CFR 236.23(d), we may terminate a grant of DACA at any time, at USCIS’ discretion. We will provide a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) and an opportunity to respond before terminating a DACA grant, except we may terminate a grant of DACA without an NOIT and an opportunity to respond if you are convicted of a national security-related offense involving conduct described in 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii), (iv), or 1227(a)(4)(A)(i)), or an egregious public safety offense. If we terminate your grant of DACA without an NOIT and an opportunity to respond, we will notify you of the termination.

Q29: What happens to my employment authorization if USCIS terminates my DACA before it expires?

A29: A grant of employment authorization based on DACA, under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(33), will automatically terminate when DACA terminates. See 8 CFR 236.23(d)(3).

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II. Initial Requests for DACA

Q30: What guidelines must I meet to be considered for DACA?
A30: Pursuant to current court orders, USCIS is accepting, but not adjudicating, initial requests for DACA. Under 8 CFR 236.22, to be considered for DACA you must submit evidence, including supporting documents, showing that you:

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981);
Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up until you filed your request for DACA;
Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and when you filed your request for DACA with USCIS;
Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012,* and when you filed your request for DACA, meaning that:

You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or
Any lawful immigration status or parole that you had before June 15, 2012, expired as of June 15, 2012, and
Any lawful status that you had after June 15, 2012, expired or otherwise terminated before you submitted your request for DACA;

Are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a GEDcertificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

We consider on a case-by-case basis deferred action requests submitted under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25. Even if you meet the threshold criteria listed above and at 8 CFR 236.22(b), we retain the discretion to assess your circ*mstances and determine that any specific factor makes deferred action inappropriate. See 8 CFR 236.22(c).

* Please review Q19 if you are currently in a lawful immigration status.

Q31: I first came to the United States before I turned 16 years old, and I have been continuously residing in the United States since at least June 15, 2007. Before I turned 16 years old, however, I left the United States for some period of time before returning and beginning my current period of continuous residence. May I be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A31: Yes, but only if you established residence in the United States during the period before you turned 16 years old, as evidenced, for example, by records showing you attended school or worked in the United States during that time, or that you lived in the United States for multiple years during that time. In addition to establishing that you initially resided in the United States before you turned 16 years old, you must also have maintained continuous residence in the United States from June 15, 2007, until the present time to be considered for deferred action under this process. See 8 CFR 236.22(b)(1)-(2).

Q32: To prove my continuous residence in the United States since June 15, 2007, must I provide evidence documenting my presence for every day, or every month, of that period?
A32: To meet the continuous residence guideline under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(2), you must submit documentation that shows you have been living in the United States from June 15, 2007, up until the time of filing your request. You should provide documentation to account for as much of the period as reasonably possible, but there is no requirement that every day or month of that period be specifically accounted for through direct evidence.

It is helpful to USCIS if you can submit evidence of your residence during at least each year of the period. USCIS will review the documentation in its totality to determine whether it is more likely than not that you were continuously residing in the United States for the period since June 15, 2007. Gaps in the documentation for certain periods may raise doubts about your continued residence if they are lengthy or the record otherwise indicates that you may have been outside the United States for a period of time that was not brief, casual or innocent.

If gaps in your documentation raise questions, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence to allow you to submit additional documentation that supports your claimed continuous residence.

You may submit affidavits to explain a gap in the documentation demonstrating that you meet the 5-year continuous residence requirement. If you submit affidavits related to the continuous residence requirement, you must submit 2 or more affidavits, sworn to or affirmed by people other than yourself who have direct personal knowledge of the events and circ*mstances during the period when there is a gap in the documentation. You may only use affidavits to explain gaps in your continuous residence; you cannot use them as evidence that you meet the entire 5-year continuous residence requirement.

Q33: I came to the United States when I was very young and before I began attending school, so I do not have primary evidence of the start of my continuous residence in the United States. Can I submit an affidavit as proof of the start of my continuous residence period?

A33: DHS will accept affidavits for the start of the continuous residence period if you are a new initial requestor who arrived in the United States at or before age 8. We recognize that age 8 is the highest age at which school attendance becomes required within the United States, and that it may be more challenging for individuals who arrived before that age to provide primary evidence of the start of their continuous residence period.

Q34: Does “currently enrolled in school” refer to the date when I file the request for consideration of deferred action?
A34: To be considered “currently enrolled in school” under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5), you must be enrolled in school on the date you submit a DACA request.

Q35: Who is considered to be “currently enrolled in school” under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5)?
A35: To be considered “currently enrolled in school” under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5), you must be enrolled in:

A public, private, or charter elementary school, junior high or middle school, high school, secondary school, alternative program, or homeschool program that meets state requirements;
An education, literacy, or career training program (including vocational training) that has a purpose of improving literacy, mathematics, or English or is designed to lead to placement in postsecondary education, job training, or employment and where you are working toward such placement; or
An education program helping students obtain a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent under state law (including a certificate of completion, certificate of attendance, or alternate award), or in passing a GED exam or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) in the United States.

Education, literacy, and career training programs (including vocational training), or education programs helping students obtain a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent under state law, or in passing a GED exam or other state-authorized exam in the United States, may include, but are not limited to, programs wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations. Programs funded by other sources may qualify if they have demonstrated effectiveness.

In assessing whether programs are of demonstrated effectiveness, USCIS will consider:

The duration of the program’s existence;
The program’s track record in:
- Assisting students in obtaining a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
- Passing a GED or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC); or
- Placing students in postsecondary education, job training, or employment; and
Other indicators of the program’s overall quality.

If you seek to demonstrate that you are “currently enrolled in school” with your enrollment in such a program, you must show the program’s demonstrated effectiveness.

Q36: How do I establish that I am currently enrolled in school?
A36: Documentation demonstrating that you are currently enrolled in school may include, but is not limited to:

Evidence that you are enrolled in a public, private, or charter elementary school, junior high or middle school, high school or secondary school, alternative program, or homeschool program that meets state requirements; or
Evidence that you are enrolled in an education, literacy, or career training program (including vocational training) that:
- Has a purpose of improving literacy, mathematics, or English, or is designed to lead to placement in postsecondary education, job training, or employment and where you are working toward such placement; and
- Is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations or, if funded by other sources, is of demonstrated effectiveness; or
Evidence that you are enrolled in an education program assisting students in obtaining a high school equivalency diploma or certificate recognized under state law (such as by passing a GED exam or other state-authorized exam such as HiSet or TASC), and that the program is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations or, if funded by other sources, is of demonstrated effectiveness.

Evidence of enrollment may include acceptance letters, school registration cards, letters from a school or program, transcripts, report cards, or progress reports that may show the name of the school or program, date of enrollment, and current educational or grade level, if relevant. See Chart #1, below, for examples of documents.

Q37: What documentation may be sufficient to demonstrate that I have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school?
A37: See Chart #1, below, for examples of documents. Documentation demonstrating that you have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) may include, but is not limited to:

A high school diploma from a public or private high school or secondary school; or
A certificate of completion, a certificate of attendance, or an alternate award from a public or private high school or secondary school or a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma under state law, or a GED certificate or certificate from passing another such state authorized exam (e.g., HiSet or TASC) in the United States.

Q38: What documentation may be sufficient to demonstrate that I have obtained a GED certificate or certificate from passing a similar state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC)?
A38: See Chart #1, below, for examples of documents. Documentation demonstrating that you have obtained a GED certificate or certificate from passing a similar state-authorized exam for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) may include, but is not limited to, evidence that you have passed a GED exam or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) and received the recognized equivalent of a regular high school diploma under state law.

Q39: If I am enrolled in a literacy or career training program, can I meet the guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5)?
A39: Yes, in certain circ*mstances. You may be able to establish that you meet the education guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) if you are enrolled in an education, literacy, or career training program that has a purpose of improving literacy, mathematics, or English or is designed to lead to placement in postsecondary education, job training, or employment and where you are working toward such placement. Such programs include, but are not limited to, programs wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations, or if funded by other sources, are programs of demonstrated effectiveness.

Q40: If I am enrolled in an English as a second language (ESL) program, can I meet the guidelines?
A40: Yes, in certain circ*mstances. You may be able to establish that you meet the education criteria at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) through enrollment in an ESL program if the ESL program is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations, or is a program of demonstrated effectiveness. You must submit direct documentary evidence that the program is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants, administered by a nonprofit organization, or of demonstrated effectiveness.

Q41: Will USCIS consider evidence other than that listed in Chart #1 to show that I have met the education guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5)?
A41: No. We will not accept evidence that is not listed in Chart #1 to establish that you are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, or have obtained a GED or passed another state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5). You must submit any of the documentary evidence listed in Chart #1 to showthat you meet the education guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5).

Q42: Will USCIS consider evidence other than that listed in Chart #1 to show that I have met certain threshold criteria at 8 CFR 236.22(b)?
A42: You may use evidence other than those documents listed in Chart #1 to establish that you meet the following guidelines and factual showings, if available documentary evidence is insufficient or lacking and shows that:

You were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
You came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
You satisfy the continuous residence requirement, as long as you present direct evidence of your continued residence in the United States for a portion of the required period and the circ*mstantial evidence is used only to fill in gaps in the length of continuous residence demonstrated by the direct evidence; and
Any travel outside the United States during the period of required continuous presence was brief, casual, and innocent.

However, USCIS will not accept evidence other than the documents listed in Chart #1 as proof that you meet any of the following guidelines:

You were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981); and
You are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a GED certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States.

For example, even if you do not have documentary proof of your presence in the United States on June 15, 2012, you may still be able to demonstrate that you meet the guideline.You may do so by submitting credible documentary evidence that you were present in the United States shortly before and shortly after June 15, 2012, which may be enough to infer you were present June 15, 2012, as well. However, we will not accept evidence other than that listed in Chart #1 to establish that you have graduated high school. You must submit the designated documentary evidence to satisfy that you meet this guideline.

Chart #1 provides examples of documentation you may submit to demonstrate you meet the threshold criteria for DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25. Please see the instructions forForm I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, for additional details of acceptable documentation.

Chart #1 Examples of Documents to Submit to Demonstrate You Meet the Guidelines
Proof of identity	Passport or national identity document from your country of origin Birth certificate with photo identification School or military ID with photo Any U.S. government immigration or other document bearing your name and photo
Proof you came to U.S. before your 16th birthday	Passport with admission stamp Form I-94, Form I-95, or Form I-94W School records from the U.S. schools you have attended Any Immigration and Naturalization Service or DHS document stating your date of entry (Form I-862, Notice to Appear) Travel records Hospital or medical records Rent receipts or utility bills Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 Forms, etc.) Official records from a religious entity confirming participation in a religious ceremony Copies of money order receipts for money sent in or out of the United States Birth certificates of children born in the United States Dated bank transactions Automobile license receipts or registration Deeds, mortgages, rental agreement contracts Tax receipts, insurance policies
Proof of lack of lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your DACA request (8 CFR 236.22(b)(4))	Form I-94/I-95/I-94W with authorized stay expiration date Final order of exclusion, deportation, or removal issued as of June 15, 2012 A charging document placing you into removal proceedings
Proof of physical presence in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your DACA request (8 CFR 236.22(b)(3))	Rent receipts or utility bills Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 Forms, etc.) School records (letters, report cards, etc.) Military records (Form DD-214 or NGB Form 22) Official records from a religious entity confirming participation in a religious ceremony Copies of money order receipts for money sent in or out of the United States Passport entries Birth certificates of children born in the United States Dated bank transactions Automobile license receipts or registration Deeds, mortgages, rental agreement contracts Tax receipts, insurance policies Affidavits for the start of the continuous presence period if you arrived in the United States before age 8
Proof you continuously resided in the United States from June 15, 2007, to the time of filing your DACA request (8 CFR 236.22(b)(2))
Proof of your education status at the time of requesting consideration of DACA (8 CFR 236.22(b)(5))	School records (transcripts, report cards, etc.) from the school that you are currently attending in the United States showing the name(s) of the school(s) and periods of school attendance and the current educational or grade level U.S. high school diploma, certificate of completion, or other alternate award High school equivalency diploma or certificate recognized under state law Evidence that you passed a state-authorized exam, including the GED or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) in the United States
Proof you are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces or the U.S. Coast Guard (8 CFR 236.22(b)(5))	Form DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty NGB Form 22, National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service Military personnel records Military health records

III. Renewal of DACA

Q51: When should I file my DACA renewal request?
A51: We strongly encourage you to submit your DACA renewal request between 120 and 150 days (4 to 5 months) before the expiration date located on your current Form I-797 DACA approval notice and EAD. Filing during this window reduces the risk that your current period of DACA will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request. Filing earlier than 150 days before your current DACA expiration date will not result in a faster decision.

DACA recipients may submit a DACA renewal request online. To file Form I-821D and Form I-765 online, a DACA requestor must first create a USCIS online account, which provides a convenient and secure method to submit forms, pay fees and track the status of any pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process. There is no cost to set up an account, which offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox and respond online to Requests for Evidence. For additional information on filing a DACA renewal request online, go to the Form I-821D webpage. All online DACA renewal requests must include Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765WS and accompanying fees.

USCIS’ current goal is to process DACA renewal requests within 120 days. You may submit an inquiry online about the status of your renewal request after it has been pending more than 105 days. Please Note:Factors that may affect the timely processing of your DACA renewal request include, but are not limited to:
- If you fail to appear at an ASC for a scheduled biometrics appointment to obtain fingerprints and photographs. It will take longer to process your request if you miss or reschedule your appointments;
- Issues of national security, criminality or public safety discovered during the background check process that require further vetting;
- Issues of travel abroad that need additional evidence or clarification;
- Name or date of birth discrepancies that may require additional evidence or clarification; or
- A renewal submission that is incomplete or contains evidence that suggests a requestor may not satisfy the DACA renewal guidelines and we must request additional evidence or an explanation.

Q52: Can I file a renewal request outside the recommended filing period of 120 to 150 days before my current DACA expires?
A52: USCIS strongly encourages you to file your renewal request within the recommended 120- to 150-day filing period to minimize the possibility that your current period of DACA will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request. We will accept requests we receive earlier than 150 days before your current DACA expires; however, this could result in an overlap between your current DACA and your renewal. This means your renewal period may extend for less than a full 2 years from the date that your current DACA period expires.

If you file less than 120 days before your current period of DACA expires, there is more risk that your current period of DACA and employment authorization will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request. If you file after your most recent DACA period expires, but within 1 year of its expiration, you may submit a request to renew your DACA. If you are filing beyond 1 year after your most recent period of DACA expired, or if your most recent grant of DACA was terminated at any time, you may still request DACA by submitting a new initial request.

Please note: An ongoingJuly 16, 2021, injunction (PDF, 401.59 KB)from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and, on Oct. 14, 2022, was extended by the district court to the DACA final rule, remains in effect and prohibits DHS from granting initial DACA requests and related employment authorization under the final rule.Due to the partial stay of the injunction, DHS presently may grant DACA renewal requests under the final rule.

Q53: How will USCIS evaluate my request for renewal of DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A53: We may consider renewing your DACA if you met the guidelines for consideration of Initial DACA (see above and 8 CFR 236.22(b)) and you:

Did not engage in unauthorized travel outside the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012;
Have continuously resided in the United States since you submitted your most recent request for DACA that was approved up to the present time; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

These guidelines must be met for consideration of DACA renewal. We consider deferred action requests submitted under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 on a case-by-case basis. Even if you meet the guidelines, we have discretion to assess your circ*mstances and determine that deferred action is inappropriate. See 8 CFR 236.22I.

Q54.Do I accrue unlawful presence if I am seeking renewal and my previous period of DACA expires before I receive a renewal of deferred action under DACA? Similarly, what would happen to my work authorization?
A54: Yes, if your previous period of DACA expires before you receive a renewal of deferred action under DACA, you will accrue unlawful presence for any time between the periods of deferred action, unless you are under 18 years of age at the time you submit your renewal request.

Similarly, if your previous period of DACA expires before you receive a renewal of deferred action under DACA, you will not be authorized to work in the United States regardless of your age at time of filing until and unless you receive a new EAD from USCIS.

Q55. Do I need to provide additional documents when I request renewalofdeferred action under DACA?
A55. No, unless you havenewdocuments pertaining to removal proceedings or criminal history that you have not already submitted to USCIS in a previously approved DACA request. However, we reserve the authority, at our discretion, to request additional documents, information or statements relating to a DACA renewal request determination.

CAUTION: If you knowingly and willfully provide materially false information on Form I-821D, you will be committing a federal felony punishable by a fine, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001.In addition, you may be placed into removal proceedings, face severe penalties provided by law, and be subject to criminal prosecution.

Q56.; If I am no longer enrolled in school, can I still request to renew my DACA?
A56. Yes. Neither Form I-821D nor the instructions ask renewal requestors for information about continued school enrollment or graduation. The instructions for renewal requests specify that you may be considered for DACA renewal if you met the guidelines for consideration of initial DACA, including the educational guidelinesand:

Did not engage in unauthorized travel outside the United States on or after Aug.15, 2012, without advance parole;
Have continuously resided in the United States, up to the present time, since you submitted your most recent request for DACA that was approved; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)or 3 or more other misdemeanors and are not a threat to national security or public safety.

Q57. If I initially received DACA and was under age 31 on June 15, 2012, but have since become 31 or older, can I still request renewal of DACA?
A57. Yes. You may request consideration for a renewal of DACA as long as you were under age 31 as of June 15, 2012.

IV. Travel

Q58: May I travel outside the United States before I submit an initial DACA request or while my initial DACA request is pending with USCIS?
A58: Any unauthorized travel outside of the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, will interrupt your continuous residence, and you will not be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25. We will assess any travel outside of the United States that occurred on or after June 15, 2007, but before Aug. 15, 2012, to determine whether the travel qualifies as brief, casual and innocent. (See Chart #2.)

CAUTION: You should be aware that if you have been ordered deported or removed, and you then leave the United States, your departure will likely mean you are considered deported or removed, with potentially serious future immigration consequences.

Q59: If my case is deferred under DACA, will I be able to travel outside of the United States?
A59: Not automatically. If we decide to defer action in your case and you want to travel outside the United States, you must apply for an advance parole document by filingForm I-131, Application for Travel Document, and paying the applicable fee. We will determine whether your purpose for international travel is justifiable based on the circ*mstances you describe in your request. Generally, we will only issue an advance parole document if your travel abroad is for:

Humanitarian purposes, including travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing relative;
Educational purposes, such as semester abroad programs and academic research; or
Employment purposes, such as overseas assignments, interviews, conferences or training, or meetings with clients overseas.

Travel for vacation is not a valid basis for advance parole.

Travel for educational purposes means travel affiliated with an institution that provides education as its primary purpose. The DACA recipient does not have to be enrolled in the institution that the program is affiliated with, but you must be enrolled in the program you will be traveling with.

You may not apply for an advance parole document unless and until USCIS approves your DACA request. If you are a current DACA recipient and submitting a renewal request, you may apply for advance parole at the same time to the separate filing address for advance parole requests. We will consider all advance parole requests on a case-by-case basis.

If USCIS has granted DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 after you have been ordered deported or removed, you may still request advance parole if you meet the guidelines for advance parole described above.

CAUTION:If you have been ordered deported or removed, before you actually leave the United States, you should seek to reopen your case before the EOIR and obtain administrative closure or termination of your removal proceeding. Even after you have asked EOIR to reopen your case, you should not leave the United States until after EOIR has granted your request. If you depart after being ordered deported or removed, and your removal proceeding has not been reopened and administratively closed or terminated, you may be considered deported or removed, with potentially serious future immigration consequences. If you have any questions about this process, you may contact ICE through the local ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor with jurisdiction over your case.

Q60: What happens to my DACA grant if I leave the United States without advance parole?

A60: CAUTION: When you leave the United States, you are no longer in a period of deferred action. DACA recipients who leave the United States without first obtaining an advance parole document run a significant risk of being unable to reenter the United States. We strongly encourage you to obtain an advance parole document before you leave to reduce the risk of being unable to return and resume DACA.

USCIS may terminate a grant of DACA, in its discretion and following issuance of a Notice of Intent to Terminate with an opportunity to respond, for DACA recipients who depart from the United States without first obtaining an advance parole document and subsequently enter the United States without inspection. See 8 CFR 236.23(d)(2). Generally, a recent entry without inspection will be a significant negative factor warranting termination of DACA as a threat to border security, but where there are exigent circ*mstances, such as accidental or involuntary border crossings, DHS may choose to continue exercising prosecutorial discretion and allow the grant of deferred action to continue.

DACA recipients who depart the United States without first obtaining advance parole but who are paroled into the United States may resume their DACA upon expiration of the period of parole.

Q61: Why does my advance parole document show a 1-day parole period?

A61: Your advance parole document may show a parole period of 1 day because it is to facilitate your reentry into the United States, at which time you will resume your current DACA validity period. This is different from the language on your advance parole document that authorizes a departure and reentry between specified dates. Please review your advance parole document carefully to understand the details of your travel authorization.

Q62: Do brief departures from the United States interrupt the continuous residence requirement?
A62: A brief, casual, and innocent absence from the United States will not interrupt your continuous residence. However, unauthorized travel outside of the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, will interrupt continuous residence, regardless of whether it was otherwise brief, casual, and innocent. Your absence from the United States will be considered brief, casual, and innocent if it was on or after June 15, 2007, and before Aug. 15, 2012, and:

The absence was short and reasonably calculated to accomplish the purpose for the absence;
The absence was not because of a post-June 15, 2007, order of exclusion, deportation, or removal;
The absence was not because of a post-June 15, 2007, order of voluntary departure, or an administrative grant of voluntary departure before you were placed in exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings; and
The purpose of the absence and your actions while outside the United States were not contrary to law.

Once USCIS has approved your request for DACA, you may fileForm I-131, Application for Travel Document, to request advance parole to travel outside of the United States.

CAUTION: If you travel outside the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, without authorization and subsequently enter without inspection, DHS will issue you a Notice of Intent to Terminate and may, barring exigent circ*mstances, terminate your deferred action under DACA in its discretion,

Travel Guidelines (Chart #2)
Travel Dates	Type of Travel	Does It Affect Continuous Residence
On or after June 15, 2007, but before Aug. 15, 2012	Brief, casual and innocent	No
On or after June 15, 2007, but before Aug. 15, 2012	For an extended time Because of an order of exclusion, deportation, voluntary departure, or removal To participate in criminal activity	Yes
On or after Aug. 15, 2012, and before you have requested DACA	Any	Yes.You cannot apply for advance parole unless and until DHS has determined whether to defer action in your case, and you cannot travel until you receive advance parole. In addition, if you have previously been ordered deported and removed and you depart the United States without taking additional steps to address your removal proceedings, your departure will likely mean you are considered deported or removed, with potentially serious future immigration consequences.
On or after Aug. 15, 2012, and after you have requested DACA	Any
On or after Aug. 15, 2012, and after receiving DACA	Any	It depends.If you travel after receiving advance parole, the travel will not interrupt your continuous residence.However, if you travelwithoutauthorization, the travelwillinterrupt your continuous residence.

Q63:May I file a requestforadvance paroleat the same time I file my DACA package?
A63:You may file your DACA renewal request and a request for advance parole at the same time. However, the filing addresses for those two requests are different, and you must send each request to its appropriate filing address.We will not issue an advance parole document for a period that continues past your DACA validity period.

To request advance parole, you must submit Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (PDF, 452.39 KB). Please visit the Form I-131 webpage before you begin the process to make sure you are using the current version of the form. To request advance parole to travel outside the United States, you must complete and sign Form I-131, and include the required filing fee as listed on the Form I-131 webpage.

You can find information on where to file on the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131 webpage under “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).” If you do not send Form I-131 to the correct address, it may significantly delay adjudication of your application or cause us to deny it.

If you are filing an initial DACA request, you may not file an advance parole request at the same time.

Q64: Will USCIS expedite the processing of a DACA Form I-131 advance parole application currently pending with USCIS?
A64: USCIS considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis and generally requires documentation to support such requests. The decision to grant or deny an expedite request is within the sole discretion of USCIS. Please visit the USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 5 - Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions for more information and guidance on expedite requests.

Q65: What if I am experiencing an extremely urgent situation and have not filed my Form I-131 advance parole application?
A65:If you are experiencing an extremely urgent situation and need to travel within 90 days, you may request an emergency advance parole appointment at your local field office by contacting theUSCIS Contact Center. You should bring the following items to your appointment:

A completed and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document;
The correct Form I-131 filing fee;
Evidence to support the emergency request (such as medical documentation, death certificate, etc.); and
2 passport-style photos.

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V. Criminal Convictions

Q66: If I have a conviction for a felony offense, a misdemeanor offense described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or multiple other misdemeanors, can I be granted DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A66: No. If you have been convicted of a felony offense, a misdemeanor offense described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanor offenses not occurring on the same date and not arising out of the same act, omission, or scheme of misconduct, we will not consider you for DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.

Q67: What offenses qualify as a felony?
A67: A felony is a federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.

A single conviction for a felony offense is disqualifying for purposes of DACA.

Q68: What offenses constitute disqualifying misdemeanors (as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)) for purposes of DACA?
A68: For purposes of DACA, a misdemeanor (as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)) is a misdemeanor as defined by federal law (specifically, a misdemeanor for which the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is 1 year or less but greater than 5 days) that meets the following criteria:

Regardless of the sentence imposed, is an offense of domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or driving under the influence; or
If not an offense listed above, is an offense for which you were sentenced to time in custody of more than 90 days. The sentence must involve time to be served in custody, and does not include a suspended sentence.

The time in custody does not include any time served beyond the sentence for the criminal offense based on a state or local law enforcement agency honoring a detainer issued by ICE.

A single conviction for a misdemeanor offense as described above is disqualifying for purposes of DACA.

A single misdemeanor conviction that is not a misdemeanor as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6) is not per se disqualifying for DACA purposes. However, we may consider such offenses in the totality of circ*mstances to determine whether a DACA requestor merits a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion.

Notwithstanding the above, the decision whether to defer action in a particular case is an individualized, discretionary decision that takes into account all the circ*mstances. The absence of any misdemeanor convictions as described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6) is not necessarily determinative, but it is a factor we will consider when we exercise our discretion.

Q69: What offenses constitute “other misdemeanors” at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6))?
A69: For purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), an “other misdemeanor” is any misdemeanor as defined by federal law (specifically, a misdemeanor for which the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is 1 year or less but greater 5 days) that meets the following criteria:

Is not an offense of domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or driving under the influence; and
Is an offense for which the individual was sentenced to time in custody of 90 days or less. The time in custody does not include any time served beyond the sentence for the criminal offense based on a state or local law enforcement agency honoring a detainer issued by ICE.

Three or more convictions of “other misdemeanors” not occurring on the same date and not arising out of the same act, omission, or scheme of misconduct are disqualifying for purposes of DACA.

The decision to defer action in a particular case is an individualized, discretionary decision that takes into account all the circ*mstances. The absence of three or more convictions of “other misdemeanors” is not necessarily determinative, but it is a factor we will consider when we exercise our discretion.

Q70: If I have a minor traffic offense, such as driving without a license, will it be considered a misdemeanor that counts towards the “3 or more other misdemeanors” and make me unable to receive consideration for an exercise of prosecutorial discretion under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A70: We will not consider a minor traffic offense a misdemeanor for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), and it is not per se disqualifying for DACA purposes. However, we can consider your entire offense history along with other facts to determine whether, under the totality of the circ*mstances, you warrant a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion.

It is important to emphasize that driving under the influence is a disqualifying misdemeanor as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), regardless of the sentence imposed.

Q71: What qualifies as a national security or public safety threat?
A71: If the background check or other information uncovered during the review of your request for deferred action indicates that your presence in the United States threatens public safety or national security, we will not grant your DACA request. Indicators that you pose such a threat include, but are not limited to, gang membership, participation in criminal activities, or participation in activities that threaten the United States.

Q72: Will offenses criminalized as felonies or misdemeanors by state immigration laws be considered disqualifying convictions for purpose of DACA?
A72: No. Under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), convictions under state laws (including U.S. territories) for immigration-related offenses are not considered convictions for purposes of DACA.

Q73: Will USCIS consider my expunged conviction or juvenile delinquency adjudication as a disqualifying conviction for purposes of DACA?
A73: No. Under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), we do not consider expunged convictions and juvenile delinquency adjudications disqualifying convictions for purposes of DACA. However, we will assess expunged convictions and juvenile delinquency adjudications on a case-by-case basis to determine whether, under the particular circ*mstances, you present a national security or public safety concern and a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion is otherwise warranted. If you were a juvenile, but tried and convicted as an adult, we will not consider your conviction a juvenile delinquency adjudication.

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VI. Employment Authorization

Q74. What should I do if my EAD was lost, stolen, or damaged?
A74. If your deferred action under DACA is currently valid, and you do not need to renew it, but you need to replace a valid EAD because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged, file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and select box 1.b. Submit the properly completed Form I-765, evidence that you are a current DACA recipient (such as your most recent DACA approval notice), and filing fee to the filing address for the location where you live.

Do not file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, with this Form I-765. If you submit Form I-821D when you are filing to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged EAD, we will deny your Form I-821D and we will not refund the $85 filing fee for Form I-821D.

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VII. Miscellaneous

Q75: Can USCIS terminate my DACA grant?
A75: DHS may seek to terminate a grant of DACA at any time in its discretion. However, in most cases USCIS will provide DACA recipients with a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT), with an opportunity to respond, before termination. We have discretion to terminate without providing a DACA recipient a NOIT and opportunity to respond if you were convicted of a national security-related offense involving conduct described in 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii), 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv), or 1227(a)(4)(A)(i), or an egregious public safety offense.

Q76: Does deferred action provide a path to permanent resident status (a Green Card) or citizenship?
A76: No. Deferred action is a form of prosecutorial discretion that does not confer lawful permanent resident status or a path to citizenship. Only Congress, acting through its legislative authority, can confer these rights.

Q77: Can I be considered for deferred action even if I do not meet the guidelines to be considered for DACA?
A77: The process at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 is only for individuals who meet the specific guidelines for DACA. Other individuals may, on a case-by-case basis, request deferred action from USCIS or ICE in certain circ*mstances, consistent with longstanding practice.

Q78: How will ICE and USCIS handle cases involving individuals who do not satisfy the guidelines of this process but believe they may otherwise warrant an exercise of prosecutorial discretion?
A78: If USCIS determines that you do not satisfy the DACA guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b) or otherwise determines you do not warrant a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion, then we will decline to defer action in your case. If you are currently in removal proceedings, have a final order, or have a voluntary departure order, you may then request ICE consider whether to exercise prosecutorial discretion. Guidance on requests to ICE for prosecutorial discretion is available at ICE’s Prosecutorial Discretion webpage.

Q79: How should I fill out question 9 on Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization?
A79. When you are filing a Form I-765 as part of a DACA request, question 9 is asking you to list those Social Security numbers that were officially issued to you by the Social Security Administration.

Q80: Is there supervisory review of decisions by USCIS under this process?
A80: Yes. USCIS has implemented a successful supervisory review process to ensure a consistent process for considering requests for DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.

Q81: Do USCIS personnel responsible for reviewing requests for DACA receive special training?
A81: Yes. USCIS personnel responsible for considering requests for consideration of DACA have received special training.

Q82: Must attorneys and accredited representatives who provide pro bono services to deferred action requestors at group assistance events file a Form G-28 with USCIS?
A82: Under 8 C.F.R. §§ 292.3 and 1003.102, practitioners are required to file Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, when they engage in practice in immigration matters before DHS, either in person or through the preparation or filing of any brief, application, petition, or other document.Under these rules, a practitioner who consistently violates the requirement to file a Form G-28 may be subject to disciplinary sanctions; however on Feb. 28, 2011, USCIS issued a statement indicating that it does not intend to initiate disciplinary proceedings against practitioners (attorneys and accredited representatives) based solely on the failure to submit a Form G-28 in relation to pro bono services provided at group assistance events. DHS is in the process of issuing a final rule, at which time this matter will be reevaluated.

Q83: When must an individual sign a Form I-821D as a preparer?
A83:Anytime someone other than the requestor prepares or helps fill out the Form I-821D, that individual must complete Part 5 of the form.

Q84: If I provide my employee with information regarding their employment to support a request for consideration of DACA, will that information be used for immigration enforcement purposes against me or my company?
A84: You may, as you determine appropriate, provide individuals requesting DACA with documentation which verifies their employment. This information will not be shared with ICE for civil immigration enforcement purposes under section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (relating to unlawful employment) unless there is evidence of egregious violations of criminal statutes or widespread abuses.

Q85: Can I request consideration for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 if I live in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)?
A85: Yes, in certain circ*mstances. The CNMI is part of the United States for immigration purposes and is not excluded from this process. However, because of the specific guidelines for consideration of DACA, individuals who have been residents of the CNMI are in most cases unlikely to meet the criteria at 8 CFR 236.22(b). You must, among other things, have come to the United States before your 16th birthday and have resided continuously in the United States since June 15, 2007.

Under the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, the CNMI became part of the United States for purposes of immigration law only on Nov. 28, 2009. Therefore, entry into, or residence in, the CNMI before that date is not entry into, or residence in, the United States for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b).

USCIS has used parole authority in a variety of situations in the CNMI to address particular humanitarian needs on a case-by-case basis since Nov. 28, 2009. If you live in the CNMI and believe that you meet the guidelines for consideration of deferred action under this process, except that your entry or residence to the CNMI took place entirely or in part before Nov. 28, 2009, USCIS is willing to consider your situation on a case-by-case basis for a grant of parole. If this situation applies to you, you should make an appointment in Saipan to discuss your case with an immigration officer.

Q86: Will USCIS expedite the processing of my pending DACA request?
A86: USCIS considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis and generally requires documentation to support such requests. The decision to grant or deny an expedite request is within the sole discretion of USCIS. Please visit the USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 5 - Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions for more information and guidance on expedite requests.

Evidence demonstrating the humanitarian need for expediting your DACA request may include, but is not limited to, evidence of loss of employment, disenrollment from an educational program, or medical or health-related emergencies.

USCIS continues to strongly recommend that you submit your DACA renewal requests between 120 and 150 days before your current period of DACA expires to minimize the risk of your DACA lapsing.

Q87: Someone told me if I pay them a fee, they can expedite my DACA request. Is this true?
A87: No. While practitioners may charge a fee for preparation of your DACA request, including a request to expedite, an attorney or accredited representative who guarantees faster processing by USCIS if you pay them a fee may be trying to scam you and take your money. Visit ourAvoid Scamspage to learn how you can protect yourself from immigration scams.

Although you may request that USCIS expedite processing of your DACA request, there is no fee to request expedited processing. Make sure you seek information about requests for consideration of DACA from official government sources such as USCIS or DHS. If you are seeking legal advice, visit ourFind Legal Servicespage to learn how to choose a licensed attorney or accredited representative.

Q88: Am I required to register with the Selective Service?
A88: Most male persons residing in the United States, who are ages 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service.Visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

Q89:How can I tell if an employer is discriminating against me because I am a DACA recipient?
A89: An employer may be engaging in discrimination if they:

Demand that an employee show specific documents or ask for more or different documents than are required to completeForm I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, or create anE-Verifycase; or
Reject documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents that reasonably appear to be genuine and relate to the employee, including documentation showing work authorization because it has a future expiration date or because of an employee’s prior unauthorized status.

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has an office dedicated to ensuring that employers do not discriminate against individuals who are permitted to work in the United States. These include DACA recipients who have been granted work authorization. If you think your employer may be discriminating against you, contact the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-237-2515).

For more information about unfair employment practices against DACA recipients, please read IER’s factsheet inEnglish (PDF)orSpanish (PDF).

For additional resources and information about workers’ rights, visit the Department of Justice Reminders for DACA Recipients and Employers webpage.

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Frequently Asked Questions | USCIS (2024)

I. General Information for All Requestors

A. What Is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals?

B. DACA Process

C. Background Checks

D. After USCIS Makes a Decision

II. Initial Requests for DACA

III. Renewal of DACA

IV. Travel

V. Criminal Convictions

VI. Employment Authorization

VII. Miscellaneous