Medford
Portland
DACA

Portland DACA Lawyer

Compassionate Legal Representation and Guidance

Offices in Medford & the Portland Area

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was introduced in 2012 and seeks to provide removal relief and limited benefits to undocumented immigrants that entered the United States as children. The program has faced numerous disruptions – including an outright dismantling effort in 2020 – and continues to face new challenges.

Our Portland DACA attorney can help existing program beneficiaries obtain benefits and renew their status. At Sarpa Law, our immigration lawyers are compassionate to the uncertainties inherent to being undocumented and are prepared to leverage our over 15 years of legal experience to identify and implement creative and cost-effective legal solutions. No matter your situation, we are determined to protect your life in the United States and will work to overcome whatever challenges you face.

How DACA Works in Portland

DACA confers several significant advantages to program recipients. However, DACA does not provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship, as beneficiaries are not eligible for green cards. They also do not have any legal status – DACA status only prompts “deferred action.”

DACA beneficiaries are protected from removal efforts so long as their program status remains active and they don’t have a disqualifying criminal record. They can live and work in the United States so long as they meet certain requirements. Program recipients can also obtain social security numbers, driver’s licenses, and work authorizations.

DACA relief is generally issued in two-year increments, and program beneficiaries can apply to renew their DACA status indefinitely. There have been situations in recent years where renewals have been temporarily halted due to legal challenges. Our Portland DACA attorney can help you navigate these scenarios.

Eligibility for DACA

The availability of DACA for certain immigrants, such as first-time applicants, is continuously in flux and you should check with our law office for the latest news.

Because the program has not been significantly expanded since its introduction, only a limited number of immigrants will qualify for the DACA program. You must provide evidence that you meet a series of eligibility requirements.

You may qualify for the DACA program if:

  • You entered the United States unlawfully before turning 16
  • You have continuously lived in the U.S. since June 15th, 2007
  • You were under the age of 31 on June 15th, 2012
  • You were physically present in the United States on June 15th, 2012
  • You had no valid immigration status on June 15th, 2012
  • You are physically present in the U.S. at the time you submit your DACA application
  • You have completed high school or earned a General Education Development (GED) diploma or are currently enrolled in school or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military
  • You have not been convicted of a felony, serious misdemeanor, or any combination of three misdemeanors
  • You do not pose a threat to public safety or U.S. national security

Get the skilled legal representation you need when navigating turbulent DACA issues. Call our Medford number at (541) 262-6677, our Portland number at (503) 755-5587, or contact us online today!

Renewing DACA Status

Timing is important when renewing your DACA status. Failing to file for renewal at the appropriate moment can result in your status lapsing, leaving you vulnerable to removal efforts and jeopardizing your ability to reobtain deferred action.

To qualify for a DACA renewal, you must:

  • Have continuously resided in the United States since your last DACA request
  • Not have exited the United States on or after August 12th, 2012, without travel authorization
  • Not have been convicted of a felony, serious misdemeanor, or any combination of three misdemeanors since your last DACA request
  • Not represent any threat to public safety or U.S. national security

DACA recipients with criminal backgrounds can sometimes have difficulty renewing their status, even if the convictions are not disqualifying. Our attorney has an extensive background in criminal law and offers diligent and capable guidance in these difficult situations.

The future of DACA remains unclear. The program may experience additional legal setbacks or could even be eliminated entirely. Our team at Sarpa Law carefully monitors new developments involving DACA and will inform you of any new or anticipated changes that may affect your benefits. Our Portland DACA lawyer is responsive to changes in immigration policy and can provide the adaptive representation you need.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your DACA options by calling (541) 262-6677 or contacting us online. We offer our legal services in English and Spanish.

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