DACA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a temporary program enacted in 2012 that provides relief from deportation and work authorization for immigrants brought to America as children.

HOW HAS THE CORONAVIRUS IMPACTED DACA RECIPIENTS?

More than 200,000 DACA recipients are essential workers helping our communities survive the coronavirus crisis. This includes nearly 30,000 DACA recipient healthcare workers, like doctors and nurses, who are on the frontlines of this response. Not only are these heroes risking their lives to protect their communities, but they are living with the incredible stress and uncertainty around the future of DACA. They must be protected and allowed to continue their vital service to their communities and families.

WHAT DOES DACA MEAN?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a temporary program enacted in 2012 that provides relief from deportation and work authorization for immigrants brought to America as children. The Trump Administration announced the end of the DACA program in September 2017.

HOW DO DREAMERS BECOME CITIZENS?

The DACA program does not provide a pathway for Dreamers to become U.S. citizens or even legal permanent residents. In fact, there is no legal pathway for Dreamers to earn citizenship at all, despite 86 percent of American voters supporting giving Dreamers pathways to legal status.

ARE DACA AND THE DREAM ACT THE SAME THING?

No. DACA allowed 800,000 Dreamers to temporarily live and work in the U.S. free from fear of deportation. The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation that would allow 2 million Dreamers to become U.S. citizens, and better contribute to their families and their community, and boost our economy.

Current Eligibility Requirements

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;

1. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;

2. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;

3. 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;

4. Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

Unfortunately, first time DACA applications are NOT being accepted by the U.S. government right now.

If you have DACA, you can renew, you must do this every two years.

 DACA RENEWAL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

With Guidance from “How To Easily Renew Your DACA” created by United We Dream; and with thanks from Mountain Dreamers to www.informedimmigrant.com

The following information will help you prepare your filing, but should not be considered as legal advice and should not replace legal advice from an attorney or certified representative. Everyone’s case is different, which is why we strongly urge you to consider seeking out assistance from local non-profit organizations that provide free to low cost legal assistance. 

1. Find a renewal clinic, accredited rep., or immigration attorney who can assist you with your filing.

2. Find your previous renewal filing and use it as a guide as you complete your new renewal filing. You can cross-reference your old and new filings to ensure the information is consistent.

3. Make sure to download the correct and most current DACA request and work permit forms directly from USCIS. If a form is out of date, USCIS may reject your filing.You will need to download and complete the following forms: 

• Form I-821D

• Form I-765

• Form I-765WS

• Form G-1145

4. Accurately fill out all forms. Remember to read all instructions on the forms thoroughly, and to double check your responses with the responses you included in your previous renewal filing so that the information is consistent. It is recommended that you fill out the forms digitally to make sure all information is readable. If you are filling them out by hand, make sure you write clearly with a black pen.

5. Create a cover letter. A cover letter includes a checklist of the items in the filing to help the USCIS officer easily see what they are about to review. Check out UWD’s cover letter template as a starting point.

1. Get your passport photo taken to include with the I-765 form, you will need two passport photos.

6. Purchase your money order from your local U.S. Post Office or bank—we strongly advise using a money order because USCIS does not accept cash. The money order should be for $495 and made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” (do not use abbreviations like “DHS”). The $495 covers the biometric (fingerprint) and processing fees.

7. Photocopy your entire filing, including your money order and all supporting documentation, as well as any receipt for mailing your filing, and keep the copy in a safe place.

8. Package and send your DACA renewal filing. We recommend that your renewal packet be in the following order to make it easier for review:

• $495 Money Order

• Cover Letter

• Completed Form G-1145

• Completed Form I-821D

• Completed Form I-765

  • Two passport photos- taken within 30 days of your filing

  • Copy of the front and back of your currently employment authorization document

• Completed Form I-765WS

• Copies of any supporting documentation.

Where should you send your renewal request? This depends on your location. USCIS has a quick reference guide on where to send your renewal request based on your location.

Tip: Do not staple your request together. This makes it harder for the review process and your filing could even be rejected by USCIS. Instead, use paper clips.

Tip: We also strongly advise that you mail using priority shipping that includes a tracking number. The USPS’ Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes are perfect for this.

After reviewing and double-checking your renewal filing for accuracy, and ideally upon final review by an attorney or legal representative, you are ready to send.

**IF you were arrested between your last DACA grant and now, you MUST go see an attorney before submitting your filing.**

Additionally, as always, with or without DACA you have rights.

Letter calling on Colorado Senators Bennet and Gardner to be Champions for DACA and the Dream and Promise Act in the U.S. Senate

Senator Michael Bennet Russell Senate Office Building, 261 Washington, DC 20510

Senator Cory Gardner Russell Senate Office Building, 354 Washington, DC 20510

August 24, 2020

Dear Senators Bennet and Gardner:

Thank you for your long-standing commitment to the state of Colorado and to our immigrant population, particularly our nation’s nearly 700,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients.  

We are writing today to not only thank you for your support, but to urge you to further action. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the program, the administration appears intent on continuing its plans to terminate the program, which would harm the more than 14,500 DACA recipients in Colorado, their families, communities, and our state’s economy.  

It is ultimately up to the U.S. Congress to solve this issue, and as we’re sure you’re aware, the American public overwhelmingly supports legislative action to protect the Dreamers and provide them a path to legal permanent residency and citizenship. 

As Senator Gardner said in his statement following the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of the DACA program, “While [the] decision provides some clarity for the thousands of DACA recipients who call Colorado home, Congress still needs to reach a long-term solution for Dreamers in the United States—including a pathway to citizenship…That’s why I support immediate passage of the Dream Act and would also support the House-passed Dream and Promise Act. The Senate should act quickly to provide permanent relief for Dreamers. I will continue to work across the aisle with my colleagues in Congress to deliver certainty for Dreamers in a way the Court cannot.”

We appreciate that you understand the need for a solution. DACA recipients in Colorado, 4,300 of whom are working in essential COVID-19 response roles such as healthcare, social safety-net services, and education, are counting on one. 

Further, If DACA were to be terminated without a permanent legislative solution in place, Colorado would lose an annual $857 million in GDP. Colorado DACA recipients also contribute $58.7 million in annual state and local taxes and pay $21.8 million in mortgage payments each year. 

Senators Bennet and Gardner, we are calling on you to be the champions of a bi-partisan solution in the U.S. Senate, and to lead passage of legislation such as the American Dream and Promise Act as soon as possible. 

Sincerely,

Mountain Dreamers

SIGN THE LETTER

Peter Bakken, Kevin McDonald, Hailey Payne, Carrie Brown-Wolf, Gayle Jones Westerberg, Penny Banks, Beth Groundwater, Timothy Luke Morris, Mark Hubbard, Amy Dlubac, Kristofer Carlsted, Mary Palumbo, Rose Grove, Haley Littleton, Peter Rubin, Kevin Dorantes, Melissa Francomano, Carime Lee, Karen McCarthy, Norma Camunez, Sally Morris, Veronica Ortega, Lizza Constantine, Michel Infante, Kimberly Ghorai, Rita Tracy, Julia Clarke, Shelby Trinagel, Jenniffer Gonzalez, Angela Hildebrand, Kelsey Lipson, Jara Johnson, Dina McKinley, Danelle Hicks, Leslie Glenn, Anna Vaine, Jenyfer Colmenero Padilla, Katie Nelsen, Martha Reyes, Itzayana Pastrano, Jaqueline Luna, Ptisma Solis, Evin Harris, William Hoagland, Clinton Decker, Nadia Sierra, Carlos Munoz, Zuleyma Arias, Shannon Galpin, Alexandria Carns, Andrea Skinner, Kitzia Orozco, Birrion Sondahl, Claudia Hurtado-Myers, Emily Jones, Sara Gacnik, Kate Ankeny, Brianne Snow, Tim Morris, Leah Wachowski, Kelly Leiby, Micah Laplante, Catherine Schaaf, Tamara Pogue, Stefan Seeling, Dawn Banas, Rylee Lopez, Kellie Rogers, Marianne McMahon, Noelle Sivon, Norma Gurrola, Beth Groundwater, John Gloudemams, Judy Phillips, Seth Blum, Tim McCall, Kristin Myers, Perla Gurrola, Michelle Zimmerman, Jennifer McAtamney, Bonita Osborn, Dawn Banas, Alex Banas, Sonia Perez, Carla Hanson, Sara Gacnik, Matthew Banas, Carol Craig, Mary Logan, Maggie Murray