Jacksonville DACA Lawyer

Helping You Achieve Your American Dream

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, commonly known as DACA, helps certain individuals who illegally came to the US before turning 16 years old obtain temporary relief from deportation. Although DACA does not provide lawful status, it grants recipients eligibility to get work permits and a Social Security number for 2 years, subject to renewal.

As of March 21, 2020, there are 643,560 active DACA recipients in the US, and with the help of our attorney, you could be next.

As an immigrant herself, Joanne M. Fakhre understands the US immigration system inside and out. She has the know-how, insights, and experience required to help you understand the DACA process and your rights, all while championing your best interests. Our legal team works tirelessly to give clients effective one-on-one guidance as they navigate this unfamiliar, complex process. Whether this is your first time applying for DACA or you want to renew your status, you’ve come to the right place.

Schedule a consultation online or at (904) 447-1937 to speak with our Jacksonville DACA attorney!

Who May Request DACA?

DACA is not available to just anyone. Since it is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against certain people for a certain period of time, the US Department of Homeland Security is strict on who can request DACA. As such, you may request DACA if you meet ALL of the following requirements:

• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
• Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
• Are at least 15 years old or older, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order;
• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
• Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012, meaning that:
  • You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or
  • Any lawful immigration status or parole that you obtained prior to June 15, 2012, had expired as of June 15, 2012;
• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

What Forms Do I Need for My DACA Application?

A significant reason why people are advised to hire a DACA lawyer is that the application process can be complex, long, and confusing. One error in the process could lead to delays and even denial, which is why we strongly advise you to retain our attorney to help you with the process.

In the meantime, however, you will benefit from having a general understanding of how the DACA application process works. For starters, you must compile several forms and documents, accurately complete and submit them, and wait to hear from USCIS. These DACA application forms include:

• I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
• I-765WS, Worksheet

You must then prove to the USCIS that you meet all the DACA requirements that we listed above. Your DACA attorney will help you gather, fill out, review, and submit these documents to ensure you’re on the right track and not missing any critical steps. Again, any mistake in the process could lead to delays or denial of your DACA application altogether, so a lawyer is essential at this stage of the process in particular.

If you want to get a head start, you can gather certain documents required for your DACA application. The list below is not comprehensive and may vary according to your particular circumstances. As such, you should not submit these documents until a lawyer reviews and verifies them.

With that being said, the documents needed for your application include, but are not limited to:

• Proof identity (i.e., Passport, birth certificate, school, or military ID)
• Proof you came to the US before you turned 16, such as:
  • Passport with an admission stamp
  • Form I-94/I-95/I-94W
  • School records from the USschools you have attended
  • Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 Forms, etc.)
  • Tax receipts, insurance policies
• Proof of immigration status, such as:
  • Form I-94/I-95/I-94W with an authorized stay expiration date
  • A final order of exclusion, deportation, or removal issued as of June 15, 2012
  • A charging document placing you into removal proceedings
• Proof of presence in the US on June 15, 2012, AND proof you continuously resided in the US since June 15, 2007, including:
  • Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 Forms, etc.)
  • Military records (Form DD-214 or NGB Form 22)
  • Birth certificates of children born in the US
  • Deeds, mortgages, rental agreement contracts
  • Rent receipts or utility bills
• Proof of your student status at the time of requesting DACA, which includes:
  • Official records from the school that you are currently attending in the US
  • US high school diploma or certificate of completion
  • US GED certificate
• Proof you are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the US, such as:
  • 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

How Do I Renew My DACA Status?

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone can renew their DACA status, which is valid for 2 years. You may, however, request a renewal if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You did not depart the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, without advance parole;
• You have continuously resided in the United States since you submitted your most recent DACA request that was approved; and
• You have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

We advise you to not wait until the last minute to submit your DACA renewal request but rather submit the request far in advance of the date your work permit expires. Our lawyer can provide legal counsel for your situation to ensure you don’t miss deadlines or encounter other challenges in the renewal process.

An Immigrant Helping Immigrants

Obtaining DACA can change your life in ways you never could have imagined, and our mission is to help eligible individuals throughout Jacksonville achieve DACA status for this reason. The positive impacts of DACA are life-changing and we hope you can experience these benefits yourself. Allow us to help minimize the difficulties and burdens you may be facing during the process while maximizing your chances of achieving success.

To get started on the process, reach out to our attorney online or at (904) 447-1937!