If a DACA recipient’s status expires, can they still work in Texas?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are encouraged to begin submitting their requests for renewal at least 120 days before their status is set to expire. This allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ample time to review their application and get it processed. Unfortunately, if a DACA recipient’s status does expire prior to USCIS granting them their request for renewal, they may no longer be permitted to work.

Teacher placed on leave after USCIS delays in processing her request for DACA renewal

A public school teacher, who also happens to be a DACA recipient, was placed on leave after USCIS failed to get her request for renewal processed.¹The school teacher says she submitted her application on March 31^st, nearly three months before her status was set to expire, and while the agency received it on April 5^th, months had gone by where she heard nothing more about getting her request approved.

Eventually, the teacher was placed on leave, but hope wasn’t lost. With the school year quickly approaching, the teacher continued to wait for correspondence from USCIS. Finally, two days before the school year began, the teacher was granted her request for renewal.

While this story did have a happy ending, it doesn’t negate the fact that this teacher, like many other DACA recipients, are being put in stressful situations, many unaware of whether they are going to be able to continue working.

USCIS facing major delays

There are many factors at play right now that are causing major delays at USCIS. The agency has fallen behind on processing DACA renewal requests and other applications for immigration benefits. Because of this, many DACA recipients are either being placed on leave or left without a job.

If an individual’s DACA renewal request is taking longer than expected to get processed and they have questions regarding their right to work and/or remain in the U.S, they can contact the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen to discuss this with a Texas immigration lawyer. Because the fate of the DACA program is still unknown, many individuals are either uncertain as to whether they should apply for new benefits or what they should do when their request for renewal isn’t being processed.

While it is certainly understandable for these individuals to feel overwhelmed and helpless, Texas immigration lawyer J. Joseph Cohen is available to address their questions and concerns and can be reached at 210-503-2800.

The Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen is located at:

310 South St. Mary’s Street, Suite 2100

San Antonio, Texas 78205

Phone: 210-503-2800

Website: www.jjosephcohen.com

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