Applying for or renewing DACA isn’t always straightforward. Applicants face a laundry list of requirements and uncertainty about the program’s future, so Boundless scoured social news platform Reddit for the most common questions about DACA. Read on for our answers.
DACA FAQs on reddit
Am I still eligible for DACA if I dropped out of high school?
No; if you dropped out of school or left an education program you will generally not be eligible for DACA or a DACA renewal unless you sign up for a new or different educational program.
My primary school is no longer around to request transcripts from. Whom do I contact?
You can contact your school district for this information.
Can I travel to more than one country on my Advance Parole?
Yes, but be sure to return to the United States before the Advance Parole (travel document) expires. Also note that the reasons for the travel must be employment-, educational-, or humanitarian- related.
I received a traffic ticket – do I include this in my application?
No, the application form says not to include minor traffic violations “unless they were alcohol- or drug-related.”
How do I prove I was in the United States since 2007 if I did not attend primary school or go to a doctor?
- Parents’ Federal Income Tax Returns or Tax Transcripts with the applicant listed as a dependent (if applicable)
- Parents’ leases, rental receipts, other dated receipts, utility bills, cell phone bills
- Parents’ bank statements, credit card statements, copies of cancelled checks
- Paperwork or enrollment forms from community service organizations, health service organizations, and housing organizations.
- Religious records from a church, mosque, synagogue, or any other place of worship. Records or documents could relate to baptism, communion, presentation, bar or bat mitzvah, naming ceremonies or name days, confirmation or catechism courses, or any other significant, public event or rite of passage your family celebrated with you in the United States.
- Birth certificates of siblings born in the United States for the stated period.
- Affidavits from relatives, friends, teachers, and churches attesting to your presence.
- Photographs placing you in the United States since the age of 16 and since 2007
- If your family entered the United States on foot but later flew to another location (or took a bus, train, etc), evidence of the ticket from the carrier can show presence within the United States.
Can I travel to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Isles without advance parole?
While it is technically possible to visit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands without Advance Parole, travelers should be aware that there are risks to doing so. Though Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are U.S. territories, it is possible that flights can be rerouted through other countries, which could jeopardize your chances of reentering the United States. Entry back into the United States is always at the discretion of the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer inspecting you upon return, so even having an approved Advance Parole does not guarantee you will be allowed back in.
Can I submit bills and utility letters from my parents as proof of residency if my name is not on them?
If there is no better evidence available, utility bills from the applicant’s parents could be submitted in conjunction with evidence that they lived with their parents at the time.
Can I purchase a home under DACA?
That will depend on the lender, but DACA status itself does not stop someone from buying a home, though it can complicate the financing process since DACA status makes you ineligible for certain types of loans, such as Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Do DACA recipients get COVID stimulus checks?
Undocumented and many mixed-status households will not receive cash assistance. The cash assistance is determined by your income and it also requires having a social security number. To receive a check you must:
a. Have filed a tax return for 2019 and/or 2018.
b. You and all dependents in your household must have social security numbers, including U.S. citizens, DACA and TPS recipients. People who file with ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number) or who have dependents with ITINs are not eligible.
c. Checks will be for:
• $600 for individuals who earn up to $75,000 a year. This dollar amount decreases incrementally as an individual’s salary increases.
• $1,200 for married couples earning up to $150,000 a year.
• Extra $500 per dependent under 17 years old.
d. There’s an exception for people without a social security number but it is only for those married to someone in the military.
What kind of healthcare can I get under DACA?
Unfortunately, DACA is not considered an eligible immigration status for applying for health insurance through the Federal Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), so the type of health insurance available to a DACA recipient will depend on the state in which they live, and whether the state has any programs or private providers who accept enrollment from DACA holders.
Can I get a private loan under DACA?
Possibly, but it would depend on the terms set by the lender. Some lenders may accept enrollment from DACA holders who do not otherwise have status in the United States, but it’s important to always think carefully before taking out any private loans. Note there are predatory lenders out there who take advantage of undocumented immigrants.
Do I need to update USCIS if I move?
Yes, individuals who are in the United States on a visa or under DACA or other status should update U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 10 days of a move. Note it is generally not recommended for people who are out-of-status to contact USCIS, because it can draw negative and unwanted attention.
Learn more about DACA here and find out everything you need to apply.
This is our last blog post of 2020. Happy holidays and we’ll be back January 4th! ~ The Boundless Content Team