DACA Lawyer in New York

At Urena & Associates, our NYC DACA lawyers have extensive experience guiding DACA applicants and recipients. We serve families across the city, including Arabic-speaking communities, with personalized legal support.

Understanding DACA and staying up-to-date with legal changes can be overwhelming, which is why obtaining accurate guidance early is crucial. In this article, we will explain what DACA is, who qualifies, how to apply or renew in New York, and why having an experienced attorney can make all the difference.

*All information exchanged remains strictly confidential.

How Our DACA Lawyers Help You?

You may wonder if a lawyer is essential for DACA. Although not mandatory, having an experienced New York City DACA attorney can be extremely helpful. DACA applications are time-sensitive and documentation-heavy. An attorney ensures your forms (I-821D, I-765) are correctly completed and deadlines are met. We also help gather evidence to prove each eligibility requirement, such as school, community, or employment records showing your continuous presence in New York.

Our firm is especially suited to help: Urena & Associates has Arabic-speaking attorneys and staff, so language is never a barrier for Arab-American families. You can discuss your case in your native language, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation. We stay up-to-date on the latest DACA policies and advise you if alternative relief (like asylum or special visas) might also apply to your situation.

What is DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)?

DACA is a federal immigration program started in 2012 that helps undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Often referred to as “Dreamers,” DACA recipients are granted temporary protection from deportation and are eligible to apply for work authorization.

This means they can legally work, open bank accounts, and obtain driver’s licenses while their DACA status is valid. Recipients receive DACA protection for two years at a time and may renew it if they still meet the qualifications. Importantly, DACA is not a path to permanent residency or citizenship – it is a renewable deferral of removal.

Congress has considered legislation (the DREAM Act) to provide a permanent status for Dreamers, but DACA itself relies on executive authority and can be changed or rescinded. In short, DACA provides eligible immigrant youth in New York with temporary legal status and work rights that they would otherwise lack. Still, these benefits must be maintained through timely renewals.

Who Qualifies for DACA in New York?

To be eligible for DACA, an applicant must generally meet all of the following requirements:

• Age and arrival: Came to the United States before turning 16 and were under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012.
• Continuous U.S. residence: Lived continuously in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, and was present on June 15, 2012.
• No lawful status: Had no valid immigration status on June 15, 2012 (meaning any previous status had ended or you never had one).
• Education or military: Are currently in school, have graduated high school or obtained a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
• Clean criminal record: Have no felony convictions, no significant misdemeanors, and no more than three other misdemeanors.

Each of these conditions requires documentation (for example, birth certificates, school or employment records, or military discharge papers). Meeting the education requirement can be challenging if you have not yet finished school, but a skilled DACA attorney can help.

For instance, if you do not have a high school diploma, our lawyers can direct you to GED or other programs that may help you qualify. Given these strict rules, it’s essential to review your situation with an immigration lawyer who can clarify any questions and help you prepare the strongest application possible.

The DACA Application and Renewal Process in NYC

Applying for DACA or renewing an existing grant involves several official steps. For a first-time application, you (or your lawyer) must file Form I-821D (Request for DACA) along with Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and pay the required USCIS fee (currently $495). After filing, USCIS will schedule a biometric appointment (which includes fingerprinting and a photo) to conduct background checks.

Renewal applications use the same forms and fee. It’s essential to apply for renewal 150–120 days before your current DACA expires. As of 2025, USCIS is allowing first-time DACA requests to be filed but is not processing them, while renewals continue to be accepted and processed. This means if you already have DACA, you should definitely submit a renewal on time.

Once approved, DACA status is granted in two-year increments. An authorized recipient can then apply for a Social Security number and a New York driver’s license.

Gathering evidence for the application can be a challenging task. Our attorneys help you collect and organize documents to prove each requirement – for example, by obtaining school records, work records, or affidavits from community members about your continuous presence in New York. We can even translate and notarize documents in other languages, ensuring USCIS understands your evidence. By carefully preparing every part of the application packet, we give you the best chance for approval.