Effective December 7, 2020, the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services began accepting applications from first time DACA applicants and is extending the deferred status period to two years as originally implemented.
If you meet the following eligibility requirement then you are eligible to file an application even if you never applied before:
- you were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
- and you entered the US before reaching the age of 16,
- and you have continuously resided in the US since June 15, 2007,
- and you were physically present in the US on June 15 2012 and at the time of applying for DACA,
- and you had no lawful status on June 15, 2012,
- and you are currently in school or graduated from high school or received a GED, or honorably discharged from the US military,
- and you are at least 15 years of age
- and you have not been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor, and you post no threat to national security or public safety
If you are currently a DACA recipient, you are eligible for renewal if:
- you did not depart the US after August 15, 2012 without an advance parole
- and you have continuously resided in the US since your initial application
- and you have not been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors
- and you do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety
If you have yet to apply for DACA or have some questions about the process, contact a New Jersey immigration lawyer at our firm today.