The Catholic Charities Immigration Clinic at Gonzaga University School of Law can help low-income community members with immigration law, including DACA. Our clients work directly with law students who are supervised by an experienced immigration attorney.
We can help you:
- Determine if you are eligible for DACA
- Complete your DACA application
- Apply for DACA renewal
If you or someone you know is interested in immigration law help, please call us and leave a voice message. After we learn more about your legal situation, we may schedule an initial appointment by Zoom or telephone.
Phone: 509-313- 5791
Español: 509-313-3859
Email: immigrationlawclinic@gonzaga.edu
What is DACA?
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program protects some immigrants from removal and provides them with work permits for a period of two years. This two-year DACA period can be renewed. DACA helps eligible undocumented young people who came to the country as children. The Department of Homeland Security implemented the policy on June 15th, 2012. While the program was suspended in 2017, a Supreme Court decision reactivated DACA in June 2020. Congress may eventually create a different program of protection for “Dreamers” but eligible immigrants can still apply for initial DACA protection or DACA renewal.
Who can receive DACA?
You might be eligible for an initial DACA application if you:
- Were born on or after June 16, 1981;
- Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
- Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
- Were in the United States on June 15, 2012 without lawful immigration status;
- Are currently in school, graduated from high school, obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
- Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
You might be eligible for a renewal application if you:
- Did not depart the United States on or after June 15, 2007 without advance parole;
- Continuously resided in the United States from the time you submitted your most recent DACA request until the present time; and
- Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Additional Information:
- Fees for an initial or renewal DACA application are $495. Our legal assistance is free, but you must send $495 with your application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- If you have any arrests or criminal convictions, you should discuss this with our Immigration Clinic or another immigration attorney.
- Also, if you left the United States for any reason, you should discuss this with us, or another immigration attorney.