Can DACA recipients get a green card?

The DACA program was created in 2012 under U.S President Barack Obama and is designed to protect those who came to the US when they were children but do not have any legal immigration status. DACA recipients are often referred to as “Dreamers” – this name comes from the DREAM act which aimed to extend rights to similar individuals in 2001 but failed to become US law.

This temporary immigration status obtained via DACA is granted for two years and can be renewed. However, it does not currently allow a direct route to legal entry or permanent resident status.

To gain DACA, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Entered the United States before their 16th birthday
• Lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007
• Been under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012 (This means that they were born on or after June 16, 1981)
• Be without lawful immigration status
• Completed high school, obtained their GED, been honorably discharged from the military, or currently enrolled in school
• Have a clean criminal history and not be considered a threat to national security or public safety

Applying for DACA

If you meet the criteria for DACA and do not have a immigration legal status then you will need to complete and submit the following immigration forms and supporting documents:

• Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
• Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization Document)
• Form I-765 Worksheet
• Proof of identity – such as a passport, birth certificate with photo ID, school or military ID or any other government-issued photo ID
• Proof you came to the U.S. before your 16th birthday – supporting paper can include passport stamp, valid visa, school records, any immigration documents stating your date of entry, travel records, hospital or medical records, employment records, mortgage, or rental agreement contracts
• Proof of immigration status – this can a Form I-94/I-95/I-94W with an expiration date of authorized stay, any final order of deportation, exclusion, or removal issued as of June 15th, 2012
• Proof of presence in the U.S. on June 15th, 2012 – this may be in the form of school records, military records etc
• Proof of continuous residence since June 15th, 2007 – accepted documents include household records, school records, lease or mortgage agreements
• Proof of your student status (if applicable)
• Proof of an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard or Armed Forces (if applicable)

Once you have completed the immigration forms, you will need to arrange a biometrics appointment at a local US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) national visa center.

It is possible to track the progress of your case online via the account details provided by USCIS.

Some DACA recipients may be eligible for an employer-sponsored green card if they are regarded as highly-skilled. In order to apply for a suitable visa the DACA recipients must be granted a PERM labor certification from the Department of Labor before the employer is able to file an employment sponsorship petition.

There is a wide variety of employment-based visas available in the US and it can be an overwhelming and lengthy process. If you may qualify for one of the visas then you may want to consult an experienced immigration attorney who can help support your application and provided support. Some employment-based work visas that offer permanent resident status are:

• O-1 Visa (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability Green Card)
• EB1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability Green Card)
• EB1-2 Visa (Outstanding Researcher / Professor Green card)
• US – EB2 Visa (Second Preference Employment-based Visa)
• EB3 Visa (Worker’s Green Card)

Are DACA recipients eligible for family-based green cards?

It is possible for DACA recipients who are the immediate relative of a green card holder or a U.S citizen to sponsored for a family-based green card. To go from DACA to green card they must qualify under one or more of the following:

• married to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder
• the child or step-child of a U.S. citizen
• the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
• the sibling of a U.S. citizen

Applying for a green card via the family-based route is more straightforward if the DACA recipient entered the US via lawful entry with a valid visa or part of a visa waiver program. If a DACA recipient originally entered the country lawfully and subsequently overstayed their visa which in resulted in them being undocumented immigrants, then the person can be considered as satisfying the lawful entry requirement as long as they have stayed continuously in the UK.

Can DACA status be renewed?

It is important if you wish to move from DACA to green card you must ensure you have a current DACA registration. Assuming you have not broken the term agreements, you can renew your DACA status by submit the following:

• Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
• Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization Document)
• Form I-765 Worksheet

You will also need to pay the correct renewal fee (currently $495) and you must renew within 120-150 days of your current DACA expires or you application may be denied.