DACA in 2026: Current Agency Process and Sources

DACA policy remains affected by federal litigation. USCIS currently continues to process renewal requests and related employment-authorization applications. USCIS accepts initial DACA requests but, under current court orders, does not adjudicate them.

The USCIS DACA page is the best source for a current operational update. A public article cannot determine whether a request is a renewal, initial request, or another procedural category.

Renewal Materials

USCIS identifies Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765WS as the core renewal materials. Current editions, filing addresses, fees, online-filing options, and evidence instructions appear on the agency's form pages.

USCIS recommends submitting a renewal request 120 to 150 days before the existing DACA period expires. That is an agency recommendation, not a guaranteed processing window. Requests filed earlier or later can be handled differently under current policy.

Employment Authorization

DACA and the associated Employment Authorization Document have separate approval periods shown on the agency notices and card. Filing a renewal does not itself guarantee uninterrupted authorization. The receipt and decision notices control the agency's action in an individual matter.

Travel

Advance parole for a DACA recipient uses a separate request and legal framework. Prior immigration history, departure, reentry, and pending proceedings can affect consequences. USCIS materials describe the agency process but do not substitute for a confidential review of those facts.

Initial Requests

USCIS currently accepts initial DACA requests but does not adjudicate them under the operative court orders. Because litigation can change that posture, dated summaries should be checked against the current USCIS update.

Official Sources

This page reports general agency procedure as of its update date. It does not determine eligibility, calculate a filing date, or evaluate travel or immigration consequences.