On April 12, 2022, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) would have the option of online filing for renewal of their Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The transition to online filing is a step toward adopting an electronic environment and transitioning away from paper-based operations. USCIS Director Ur Jaddou says, “[T]he option to file DACA renewal requests online is part of USCIS’ ongoing move to minimize reliance on paper records and further transition to an electronic environment.” The beginning of this new process could benefit DACA recipients currently struggling financially to request the renewal of their form.
As of 2021, there are currently 590,070 active DACA recipients. Most recpients were born in Mexico, Central America, or South America, with a percentage of over 94%. The top leading country of origin for most recipients is Mexico, with a percentage of 79.4%. Twenty-one thousand of those DACA recipients reside in Georgia.
The creation of online filing for DACA renewals could potentially save thousands in expenses on filing through an attorney. The USCIS charges an application fee of $495 yet, most DACA applicants pay over $1,000 for the whole application process. Most attorneys charge around $400 to $1000 for their service alone, not including the application fee from the USCIS. Due to the extensive money required for DACA renewals, the number of active recipients continues to decrease. However, with this new option, that number could potentially increase as it becomes more affordable for recipients.
DACA recipients wishing to fill out the online form must first create a USCIS online account. The creation of the account provides a convenient and secure method to submit forms, pay fees, and track the status of any pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process. The creation of online filing for DACA renewals does not erase the original method, but it provides a faster and more efficient way of speeding up the process.
To create an online USCIS account, click here.
Works Cited
López, Gustavo, and Jens Manuel Krogstad. “Key Facts about Unauthorized Immigrants Enrolled in Daca.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 30 May 2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/09/25/key-facts-about-unauthorized-immigrants-enrolled-in-daca/.
“USCIS Announces Online Filing for Daca Renewal Forms.” USCIS, 12 Apr. 2022, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-online-filing-for-daca-renewal-forms.
