DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, provides protection from deportation and eligibility for work authorization to individuals who came to the United States as children. At Prosperity Immigration Law<\/a>, our immigration team, led by attorney Luis F. Hess, works with DACA recipients in Houston and across Texas<\/a> on renewals, employment authorization, the current legal landscape, and longer-term immigration planning.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSchedule a Consultation Today\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n DACA was announced by the Obama Administration in June 2012. Those approved receive a two-year period of deferred action, during which DHS agrees not to pursue removal, and are eligible to separately apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) permitting legal work. DACA does not confer lawful immigration status.<\/p>\r\n DACA recipients are not legal permanent residents<\/a> and cannot travel internationally without advance parole. It is not a visa, not a lawful immigration status, and not a direct path to a green card. It is a prosecutorial discretion policy that has been in active federal litigation since 2017.<\/p>\r\n\t Some DACA recipients have other immigration options based on their individual circumstances, such as through marriage<\/a>, family relationships<\/a>, or employment-based pathways<\/a>, but these must be evaluated case by case.<\/p>\r\n\t DACA’s legal status is actively evolving. Nothing here should be taken as current legal advice for any individual situation. We strongly recommend speaking with an attorney<\/a> before making any decisions about DACA, travel, or alternative immigration options.<\/p>\r\n To be considered for DACA under the original 2012 criteria, an individual must:<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t Have been under age 31 as of June 15, 2012\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Have come to the United States before reaching age 16\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Have continuously resided in the United States from June 15, 2007, to the present\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Have been physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Have been unlawfully present on June 15, 2012, or have had lawful presence expire by that date\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Be currently enrolled in school, have a high school diploma or GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Not have been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and not pose a threat to national security or public safety\t\t\r\n\t Note:<\/strong> Current USCIS guidance processes renewals only for individuals who received DACA prior to July 16, 2021. Individuals whose DACA expired more than one year ago are treated as first-time applicants and are not currently being processed.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReady to Get Started? Contact Us Today\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n \u00abI had an exceptional experience working with the Prosperity Immigration Law team. Their deep knowledge of employment-based immigration cases, coupled with their clear communication and meticulous approach, made the entire process seamless and stress-free. I felt fully supported at each step, confident that I was receiving top-tier legal guidance from true experts in the field.\u00bb – Tunde D.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/li>\t\t\r\n\t\t\tWhat Is DACA?\t<\/h2>\r\n\t
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\u00abWe highly recommend Prosperity Immigration Law for helping process my Immigrant visa from the initial application till the issuance of my green card. They did a great job for my case considering we are based overseas. When we started the process, communication and documentation were done remotely with zero issues at all. Staff assigned to my case are very responsive and coordinate us in a prompt and timely manner. Everything happened in perfect timing.\u00bb – Roselyn P.<\/em><\/blockquote><\/li>\t\t
\u00abThis firm is compassionate, well-organized, and truly committed to their clients. If you’re looking for an immigration team that treats you like a person – not just a case – I highly recommend them. Huge thanks to Yakelin and Irving for being absolutely amazing!\u00bb – Tulia R.<\/em><\/blockquote><\/li>\t\t
\u00abThank you to this entire team of professionals who took our case until the approval of our EB-1A visa. They always responded immediately to our calls and questions about it. Our case was taken step by step with the expertise that these procedures require. You can find from the reception the warmth and knowledge of your areas of work, which makes this equipment totally homogeneous, effective and efficient. Thank you so much and we recommend you as THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYERS.\u00bb – Diego R.<\/em><\/blockquote><\/li>\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n\t\t\tWhy Choose Prosperity Immigration Law\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t We know the process inside and out:<\/b> Immigration rules change constantly, new policies, updated fee schedules, shifting processing times. We stay current so our clients do not have to.\t\t\r\n\t\t\t We approach every case honestly:<\/b> If an application faces real obstacles, we say so upfront. Our job is to give you a clear picture of where you stand and the most realistic path forward, not to tell you what you want to hear.\t\t\r\n\t\t\t We handle the details so you do not have to:<\/b> From document checklists to filing deadlines, we manage every moving part of your case so nothing is missed and nothing is late.\t\t\r\n\t\t\t We think beyond the current application:<\/b> A visa is rarely the end goal, it is a step toward something larger. We help clients think ahead so that today’s filing supports tomorrow’s options, not the other way around.\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSchedule Your Consultation\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n
\r\n\t\t\tFrequently Asked Questions About DACA\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\tCan I still renew my DACA right now?<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t