Dallas DACA Lawyer
Comprehensive DACA Support from Dallas Immigration Lawyers
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was created by President Barack Obama to protect certain immigrants from deportation and allow them to get temporary work permits. The DACA program has allowed some undocumented immigrants to secure a temporary work permit. At Christensen Immigration Attorneys, our immigration attorneys can help you navigate changes to this program under the current administration.
If you have questions about how the DACA affects your status, please call (972) 497-1017 for a consultation. Hablamos Español.
Eligibility Criteria for DACA in Dallas
In order to qualify for DACA, you must have arrived in the United States prior to 16 years of age, lived in the country continuously since June 15, 2007, and satisfied an educational requirement. In addition, DACA recipients cannot have been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or pose a threat to public safety or national security.
At this time, we cannot submit initial DACA applications, only renewals.
Many people in the Dallas area are unsure whether their history, travel, or school records fit these requirements, and they may be nervous about sharing details of their lives. When you meet with us, we review your timeline, documents, and any past encounters with immigration officials so you can understand where you stand before filing anything. Because immigration policies can change after court decisions in Texas or at the federal level, we also explain how current rules affect your options and what steps a DACA lawyer in Dallas can take to help you avoid unnecessary risks.
Steps to Renew Your DACA Status
You may be able to renew your immigration status under DACA, as long as you:
- Did not travel outside of the United States without authorization on or after August 15, 2012
- Have been continuously residing in the United States since you submitted your last DACA application, which was approved
- Have not been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor, and do not pose a threat to public safety or national security
Beyond meeting these basic rules, renewal also requires careful preparation of forms, supporting evidence, and filing fees within specific time frames. An experienced DACA attorney in Dallas can walk you through the documents you should gather, such as school records, pay stubs, and identification, and discuss how to plan your renewal so there is as little gap as possible in your work authorization. Because many clients live, work, or study in Dallas, Irving, or other nearby communities, we take time to coordinate deadlines around your schedule and explain how processing at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices can affect your day-to-day life.
DACA Updates and Legal Insights
Because court rulings and policy changes have repeatedly affected who can apply for DACA and what benefits are available, it is important to stay informed before making any major decision. Our team monitors developments in federal courts, including decisions that come out of Texas, and we translate those rulings into clear, practical guidance for our clients. When you speak with a DACA lawyer Dallas residents trust with immigration questions, you can ask how the latest updates might impact renewals, asylum advance parole, or long-term planning for you and your family.
Preparing for Your DACA Consultation in Dallas
Meeting with an attorney for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially when your ability to work and remain in the United States is involved. We want to make your consultation as straightforward as possible by explaining what we will discuss and what you can bring with you. During this meeting, we will listen to your story, answer your questions, and outline possible next steps so you leave with a clearer understanding of your situation. Whether you live in Dallas, Coppell, Denton, or another nearby city, our goal is to give you practical guidance you can use right away.
Before your appointment, it is helpful to gather certain documents so we can review them together. These may include your current and prior DACA approval notices, work authorization cards, identification documents, school or employment records, and any papers you have received from immigration authorities or criminal courts in Dallas County or elsewhere. Bringing as much information as you can allows us to spot potential issues early, estimate important dates, and advise you on how to protect your status. When you work with a DACA lawyer Dallas residents turn to for immigration questions, you can feel more prepared and confident walking into each step of the process.
If you have DACA and need to renew your status, call us at (972) 497-1017 or contact us online today to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation.
DACA and Advanced Parole
If you have applied for and received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), this could be the first opportunity you've had in a long time to travel outside the U.S. and return legally. A policy called "Advance Parole" might make it possible for you to leave the U.S. without losing your DACA status.
In literal terms, receiving Advance Parole means that before leaving the U.S., you would get a document that you can present to U.S. border officials upon returning to the United States, so long as you do so before a set expiration date. (For DACA holders, this date is usually within 30 to 45 days.) The form is similar in some ways to a visa. If all goes well, the official will, after examining the Advance Parole document, allow your U.S. entry.
Simply wanting to take a vacation or say hello to family is not enough to qualify DACA recipients for an Advance Parole travel document. You will need to show not only that you have been approved for DACA, but that you have a reason for traveling, either for:
- humanitarian purposes, which include medical assistance, attending a family member's funeral, visiting a sick relative, or some other urgent family-related matter
- educational purposes, including taking part in a study abroad program or doing academic research, or
- employment purposes, including overseas assignments or client meetings, interviews, conferences, training, and travel needed to pursue a job with a foreign employer in the United States.
Along with your application, you will need to supply evidence to back up whichever of these purposes you claim.
Traveling under Advance Parole also constitutes a lawful entry for immigration purposes. This means if you originally entered unlawfully, your ability to adjust status in the future may be easier. Simply put, if your original entry was illegal, it is a good idea to talk to an attorney to see if getting Advance Parole will help you.
The grant of Advance Parole is not automatic. Call (972) 497-1017 to set up a consultation with a DACA attorney in Dallas to see if you are eligible.
Our Client testimonials
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“Everyone there is very attentive, kind, and professional. I highly recommend him and his team to anyone looking for an immigration attorney!”
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“They were very welcoming and made sure that we understood the topic at hand. Answered all our questions we had and guided us with trust and honesty.”- Amy A.
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“He just made us feel very positive about my mom's case. She just became resident thanks to him and his excellent team. I recommend them to anyone who has a case with immigration,”- Margarita M.
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“I got my citizenship now and the Law Office of Nathan Christensen formed part of my life.”- Miguel S.
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“They turned a long ongoing issue into a positive experience for me within a few months.”- Eric D.
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“They helped me with my residency process and made it very easy.”- Jacqueline C.
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“Nate and his team were absolutely wonderful throughout the whole process and things couldn’t have gone any smoother.”- Hyejin K.
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“Nathan was the only attorney who was able to succeed at what others did not think possible.”- Antonio H.
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