The DACA Renewal Deadline Extension is for real

DACA Renewal Window May Widen

On October 12, the news broke that President Trump may provide another  extension for DACA renewal beyond the previously designated March 5 deadline to end protections for young undocumented immigrants. Previously, President Trump announced that if Congress failed to act by this deadline, the DACA program would cease to exist.

In a previous post, we discussed desperate DACA beneficiaries whose expiration fell shortly beyond the March 5 deadline for DACA renewal. We mentioned that some beneficiaries were filing renewal applications as a desperate hope that being a week or two beyond the deadline would be looked at generously and they might receive a renewal also.

Confirmed: USCIS denies DACA Renewal if expiration after 03/05

This week, we received our first response to one of these hopeful applicants. Unfortunately, the renewal attempt was denied. The denial was due to the expiration date being after March 5, 2018. However, the applicant was returned his check, so that was a kind gesture.

While our client was able to receive a refund on his application fee, the process was not free. Priority shipping can be costly, and cannot be avoided. Additionally, our client incurred attorneys’ fees for the renewal.

Our client felt as though any costs incurred with the renewal were worth it to him, personally. After speaking with him, we understood the magnitude of a DACA renewal and its effect on his and his family’s life. While this is a likely sentiment of all DACA recipients, our client can serve as a guinea pig that can save you the time and money associated with an untimely renewal application.

Responding to Possible DACA Renewal Extension

Given the news of a likely extension, clients have begun asking whether they should go ahead and file a DACA renewal application — individuals, similar to our previously mentioned client, that have expiration dates in the Spring of 2018, who expect their renewals will be in the next extension period.

Our answer is that DACA beneficiaries considering filing a renewal application hold off until there is an executive order on the matter (or at least a tweet). At the moment, everything is speculative, and rather than incur attorneys’ fees, postage fees, etc., DACA beneficiaries should wait for at least a more concrete time frame for a now openly discussed extension.

While DACA beneficiaries wait for Presidential action, they can prepare for a future with or without DACA. A previous article on our blog discusses a way that immigrants can protect their assets regardless of immigration status.

Stay tuned to our Blog for constant updates and recommendations!