The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), the legal services provider for UC Berkeley’s Undocumented Student Program, assists with all DACA-related applications, including initial DACA applications, DACA renewal applications, and DACA Advance Parole applications
You can use our online appointment system to book an appointment with East Bay Community Law Center.
We recommend that you make an appointment if your DACA expires within one year.
Please review the eligibility guidelines found here before making an appointment; your appointment will be cancelled if you are not eligible for services through this program
What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?
DACA is an administrative relief that protects eligible immigrants who came to the United States when they were children from deportation.
DACA gives undocumented immigrants: 1) protection from deportation, and 2) a work permit. The program requires that the DACA status and work permit be renewed every two years.
DACA TODAY
DACA is being challenged in federal court, but the most recent decision from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on January 17, 2025 did not change the status quo. As of January 17, 2025, USCIS continues to accept and process DACA renewal applications, and continues to accept but not process initial DACA applications (an initial DACA application is one submitted by an applicant who has never had DACA, or who had DACA that expired more than one year ago).
If you want to read more about the DACA program today, you can visit:
What are the requirements for DACA?
- You were under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012;
- You first came to the United States before your 16th birthday;
- You have lived continuously in the United States from June 15, 2007 until the present;
- You were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012 and at the time you apply;
- You came to the United States without “valid” documents before June 15, 2012, or your lawful status expired as of June 15, 2012;
- You are currently studying, or you graduated from high school or earned a certificate of completion of high school or GED, or have been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or military (technical and trade school completion also qualifies); and
- You have NOT been convicted of a felony, certain significant misdemeanors, or three or more misdemeanors of any kind. Consult with an attorney about ANY contact you have had with law enforcement or immigration authorities before applying.
How do I file a DACA application?
We always encourage applicants to work with EBCLC or another qualified immigration legal services provider to prepare a renewal application Please see links to our eleibiglity guidelines and booking system above. Below are some resources on how to prepare a DACA renewal application
Information provided by East Bay Community Law Center, usplegal@ebclc.org
Last updated on 02/10/2025