On April 12, the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service announced that it would begin accepting online renewal for DACA.
Online DACA renewal only applies to those who have already? received deferred action under “Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals” (DACA). First-time applicants should still send paper applicants in the mail.
“The expansion of online filing is a priority for USCIS as we make our operations more efficient and effective for the agency and our stakeholders, applicants, petitioners and requestors,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou in a new release. “The option to file DACA renewal requests online is part of USCIS’ ongoing move to minimize reliance on paper records and further transition to an electronic environment.”
The application can be found in uscis.gov under “1-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals”
Once there navigate to “File Online” and it will take you to a login page and from there you can start the process.
For those who haven’t created an account with uscis.gov you can click on “Create an Account.” The USCIS website advises one account for all of your USCIS needs.
Once logged in: there is a “Before You Start Your Request” and an Eligibility list where it lists all the requirements a DACA recipient needs to meet before filing online.
These requirements should be the same as any previous renewal:
- Not departing from the US after August 15, 2012
- Having continuously resided in the U.S since submitting the most recent request DACA that was approved up to the present time
- Have not been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor or three or more, and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
USCIS advises DACA recipients to submit renewals 150 days prior to expiration of your current period of deferred action because USCIS can reject the submission and return it to you with the instruction to resubmit your request closer to the expiration date.
The ideal renewal date is 120 days according to USCIS.
It also advised those to submit the “Form 1-765” online because it would be added to and completed after signing the “Form 1-821D.” Renewal fees totaling $495 will be assessed after the forms are filed.
At the end of the request USCIS will highlight certain documents that should be provided by the request for DACA. Recall evidence and supporting documents should be submitted at the time of filling. For additional information about evidence requirements listed in: uscis.gov/i-821d
DACA requesters should also still submit biometrics.They will receive a schedule to appear (ASC) Application Support Center for biometrics collection.
The online system also allows for filing of other documents, including the (RFE) Request of Evidence (RFE) or Request for Information (RFI).
DACA renewal recipients can track their file on the USCIS account.
The new online services bring benefits like: case status alerts and secure messages, see all case correspondence, check your case status and update personal information, upload evidence, according to the USCIS.
In fiscal year 2021, USCIS “received more than 8.8 million requests for immigration benefits and other requests, including 438,950 Form I-821D DACA requests,” according to a release announcing the new online services.
Locally students can contact Delta College’s Undocumented Students Resources/Dreamer Success Center located in Holt 201. DACA support is just one of the many services provided by the center.