This year, approximately 50,000 immigrant young adults applied for deportation relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. Between January and March, fewer than 800 immigrants — or 1.5% of the applicants during that time span — had their first-time applications for DACA approved. Although many backlogs are affecting young adults’ opportunities to get DACA, denials due to application errors occur far too often.
According to A Wenatchee World article, a 24-year-old Tacoma mother reviewed her application countless times before submitting her DACA application, only to get it bounced back due to a missing signature.
To avoid extending your wait for DACA, our team at Yekrangi & Associates has put together DACA filing tips to help you get your application right the first time. Get in touch with us today at (949) 478-4963 to learn about our DACA filing discount!
DACA Filing Tips
Below we have put together a list of tips to avoid getting your application bounced back or denied:
- Make sure you are filing the most updated forms: You must use the most current version of Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
- Make sure you submit all paperwork: Aside from Form I-821D, you also need to complete and sign Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-76WS, Worksheet to establish your economic need for employment authorization.
- Make sure documents are all signed: Before submitting, you should ensure that you sign all the documents you submit, or they will get bounced back.
- Write accurately on documents: It’s a good tip to write your name and date of birth the same way on each form. Variations may cause delays.
- Do not e-file form I-765: You must mail your package and forms I-821D, I-765, I-765WS
- Be sure to complete these required form fields to ensure the request is accepted for processing:
- Form I821-D: Name, Address, Date of Birth
- Form I-765: Name, Address, Date of Birth, Eligibility Category
- Attach documentation: Before sending documents, make sure that you provide all required supporting documentation and evidence.
- Organize and label your evidence by the guideline it meets: These documents are required for USCIS to make a decision on your request for DACA, so you want to make sure that you clearly label your documents.
- Avoid mistakes: Do not use whiteout or correction tape. If you make an error on a form, start over with a clean form. Scanners will see through white out or correction tape, which could cause the form to be processed incorrectly, cause delays, or denial.
- Use black ink if you are filling out the form by hand: Black ink will make your writing more legible.
- Make copies of all forms: It’s important to keep copies of all forms before sending them.
Need Help Applying for DACA?
Even the most minor mistake on your DACA application can lead to delays and denials. For such reasons, your DACA application is one you don’t want to make an error on. The best way to avoid mistakes is by having an experienced attorney on your side. Our Orange County immigration attorneys have helped individuals across Southern California get their applications submitted right the first time – increasing their chances of getting approved for DACA. We are offering our services for only $500, plus the filing fee. Reach out to us today to learn more about this discount and our other legal services!
Contact our Orange County immigration attorneys today at (949) 478-4963 to learn how we can help you!