What happens if a DACA recipient leaves the country?

DACA applicants or recipients who travel outside the U.S. without being granted approval for travel will lose their DACA status. You will be inspected at the border when you return, and there is always a possibility that you could be denied entry, even if the government granted you permission to travel.

Who does the Dream Act benefit?

Both versions of the Dream Act would provide current, former, and future undocumented high-school graduates and GED recipients a pathway to U.S. citizenship through college, work, or the armed services. The bills outline a three-step process, summarized below.

Can DACA recipients become citizens?

Some Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients may be able to apply for permanent resident legal status. You may be able to petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an immigrant visa if you have an immediate relative like a spouse with U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence.

Why can’t DACA apply for citizenship?

Why can’t DACA recipients apply for US citizenship? DACA recipients are not able to apply for US citizenship on the basis of their DACA status². DACA status does not mean you’re considered to be lawfully in the US. It only means that any action against you has been deferred on a temporary basis.

Can I go to Hawaii if I have DACA?

While all U.S. territories, Alaska, and Hawaii are indisputably part of the United States, ICE has begun to police them as though they were foreign jurisdictions and you may be detained or denied entry. Therefore, if you are a DACA recipient, you should not travel to or from a U.S. territory, Alaska, or Hawaii.

What are the requirements to apply for DACA?

Anyone requesting DACA must have been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012. You must also be at least 15 years or older to request DACA, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order, as summarized in the table below:

When to accept a first-time request for Deferred Action under DACA?

Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to Sept. 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s Dec. 4, 2020, order;

When does the USCIS accept DACA renewal requests?

Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to Sept. 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s Dec.4, 2020, order; Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA policy prior to Sept. 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s Dec. 4, 2020, order;

Can I still request DACA after my current period expires?

If you are filing beyond one year after your most recent period of DACA expired, you may still request DACA by submitting a new initial request.