DACA Resources
The Latest on DACA from Immigration Attorney Melissa Soberalski
DACA has seen a rollercoaster of ups and downs in recent years. After President Trump attempted to dismantle the program from the top down, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the effort and seemingly opened the program back up to its original intent. However, the latest major setback occurred on July 16, 2021, when a federal district judge in Texas issued a decision that the DACA program itself is unlawful, along with a “permanent injunction against its continued operation.”
The judge also left in place all current (as of July 16, 2021) DACA approvals and work permits, as well as the ability for valid DACA holders to renew, and the availability of Advance Parole. For those who have never had DACA, or who have had their DACA expired for more than one year, USCIS may accept and issue receipts for any DACA applications, but it is barred from actually approving any of them. These applications are essentially ‘waiting in line’ for DACA to return while a new order from President Biden is processed by DHS, and as the White House seeks to appeal the Texas decision to a higher court.
For further details, we would suggest reading the National Immigration Law Center’s breakdown of the decision and its implications at: https://www.nilc.org/issues/daca/
These are some documents you should prepare and have ready just in case DACA begins taking in new applicants. If you have DACA, the only way to lose it is if you don’t renew it, so you have to make sure you stay on top of your renewal and do it on time.
DOCUMENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE READY
1. Proof of identity
- Passport
- Birth Certificate with Translation plus photo identification
- School or Military ID with photo
- Any US government or other document bearing your name and photo
2. Proof you came to the U.S. before your 16th birthday, such as:
- Passport with admission
- Stamp Form I-94/I-95/I-94W
- School and/or Medical records
- Travel records
- Get Creative!
- Social Media check-ins
- Streaming or gaming service records
- Gym check-ins
3. Proof you continuously resided in the U.S since June 15, 2007 and that you were present in the U.S on June 15, 2012. Examples include:
- Rent receipts, Utility, cell phone bills
- Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 forms, etc)
- School records (transcripts, letters, report cars,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 country
- Passport entries
- Birth Certificates of children born in the US
- Dated bank transactions
- Automobile license receipts or registration
- Deeds, mortgages, rental agreements contracts
- Tax receipts, insurance policies
- Medical, vaccination and dental records
4. Proof of your student status at the time of requesting consideration of Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals
- 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 or certificate of completion
- U.S. GED certificate
- If you have served in the U.S. military, copies of military records
5. If you have ever been arrested by the police or any government agency
- Obtain copies of police reports and court records for any arrests, criminal convictions or juvenile cases.
- MAKE SURE TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SUBMITTING ANY OF THIS DOCUMENTATION
6. If you have been in deportation proceedings or entered with a visa, proof of expired immigration status
- Form I-94/I-95/I-94W with authorized stay expiration date
- Final order of exclusion, deportation, or removal issued as of 6/15/2012
- A charging document placing you into removal proceedings
- DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WITH AN ATTORNEY
Resources for DACA Recipients
Resources from Voces de la Frontera
FINANCIAL Resources
Voces de la Frontera's Caminos Legal Clinic
Our Camino's clinic can help you with your application, refer you to an attorney to support you in your case, and more.
Mexican Consulate in Wisconsin
414-944-7590
prot1mke@sre.gob.mx
