DACA

Chicago DACA Attorney

Compassionate Legal Guidance in Cook County

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was introduced by the Obama administration in 2012. The DACA program, which currently has approximately 800,000 participants, does not confer legal status and does not currently provide a path to U.S. citizenship. However, the provides removal protections and other key benefits to undocumented individuals brought into the United States as young children.

Our Chicago DACA lawyer is an immigrant himself and understands the uncertainty and challenges inherent to the U.S. immigration system. At Aparicio Immigration Law, our team can determine if you qualify for DACA status and help you obtain benefits. We can also assist with renewal efforts if you already have status. If you have DACA status (or may qualify) and are placed in removal proceedings, our attorney can aggressively fight to enforce your rights and protect your life in the United States.

If you have questions or concerns about the DACA program, do not hesitate to contact us online. We offer initial consultations.

How DACA Works

The DACA program confers several important benefits to participants. Most importantly, an individual with DACA status receives temporary protection from removal while their status is active.

DACA participants can also:

Secure a work permit
Obtain a driver’s license in most states
Procure a social security card
Travel in and out of the country for work, education, or humanitarian reasons

DACA status (and its associated benefits) is valid in two-year increments. DACA program participants must renew their status every two years to avoid becoming vulnerable to removal. Absent any program interruptions and so long as eligibility requirements continue to be met, DACA status can be renewed an unlimited number of times. However, the DACA program offers no means of becoming a U.S. citizen or obtaining any other type of legal status.

Political developments and machinations have historically interfered with the DACA program. Over the past several years, several new DACA-related restrictions have been introduced and later reversed. Currently, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is accepting new applications and renewals, but that could change in the future. Our Chicago DACA attorney can help you navigate the latest developments and assist you with exploring all of your immigration options.

Qualifying for DACA

The DACA program’s eligibility requirements are complex and can be difficult to understand. DACA is intended for undocumented individuals that were brought to the United States as young children, so several requirements involve your age and when you entered the country. You must also meet certain educational requirements and have not been convicted of certain types of crimes.

To qualify for the DACA program, the following must be true:

You entered the United States without valid status before you turned 16
You were born on June 16, 1981, or later
You have continuously lived in the U.S. since June 15^th, 2007
You were physically present in the U.S. on June 15^th, 2012
You had no lawful status as of June 15^th, 2012
You have a high school degree or a General Educational Diploma (GED) or were honorably discharged from the U.S. military or are currently enrolled in school
You have not been convicted of a felony or a serious misdemeanor
You have not been convicted of any combination of three or more misdemeanors
You represent no threat to U.S. national security or public safety

If you are struggling to understand whether you qualify for the program, our Chicago DACA attorney at Aparicio Immigration Law can help. Our lawyer will work directly with you to assess your eligibility, anticipate potential issues, and help you obtain DACA benefits. We have a strong track record of assisting our clients with overcoming a wide range of immigration obstacles, and we are prepared to do everything possible to provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.

Get the diligent and capable guidance you need when seeking or renewing DACA status by contacting us online. We offer our legal services in English and Spanish.

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"I highly recommend Victor as an attorney."
I got the incredible news that my case was granted, Victor Aparicio is very professional and very knowledgeable about what to do in cases of immigration, excellent service.

- Gilma V.
"Victor is a highly-skilled immigration attorney with considerable experience."
He is constantly brainstorming solutions to complex immigration problems, and the results speak for themselves.

- Moises B.
"Victor Aparicio is a very professional and knowledgeable immigration lawyer."
I've worked with him in the past, and I've also been a client of his. He made a very complicated and delicate process easy to understand.

- Laura G.
"He is probably the best immigration lawyer I've had the experience to work with in Chicago."
Victor Aparicio is a very professional and knowledgeable immigration lawyer. I've worked with him in the past, and I've also been a client of his. He made a very complicated and delicate process easy to understand.

- Marina M.
"We strongly recommend Victor for anyone who needs an immigration attorney."
Victor explained the process and timeline of how everything works over the next years to come I remember that day like yesterday we didn't even leave his office, we hired him on the spot.

- Mitch & Ana
"I have the utmost respect for the line of work that Victor Aparicio did for my wife and I."
I am a born U.S. citizen who severed in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. My wife was a non-U.S. resident from Mexico and protected by DACA since 2014. He worked with us and almost exactly a year later she is now a new U.S. Permanent resident!

- Hector M.

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Why Choose Aparicio Immigration Law?

Spanish Speaking Services Available
With a staff that speaks English and Spanish fluently, our team makes sure all communication with clients is always direct and always clear.
We are Centrally & Conveniently Located

Our office is located less than a mile from Chicago Immigration Court, allowing us to very conveniently help all clients throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
We Have a Record that Speaks for Itself
With many victorious cases taken to court and hundreds of happy reviews from clients, our team proudly works hard to earn its good reputation.
We Can Relate to Your Experience
Having gone through the immigration process himself, Attorney Aparicio has first-hand experience to help understand your situation.

Experienced Immigration Firm Fill Out the Form or Call Us Today to Have Your Case Reviewed By One of Our Attorneys

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