Request DACA for the First Time
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - Your path to legal status in the United States
The following information explains the guidelines for requesting DACA for the first time. If you need further information and cannot find it in our Frequently Asked Questions, you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833. Representatives are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in each U.S. time zone.
Guidelines
You may request DACA if you:
Age Guidelines
Anyone requesting DACA must have been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012. You must also be at least 15 years or older to request DACA, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order, as summarized in the table below:
| Your situation | Age |
|---|---|
| I have never been in removal proceedings, or my proceedings have been terminated before making my request. | At least 15 years old at the time of submitting your request and under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012. |
| I am in removal proceedings, have a final removal order, or have a voluntary departure order, and I am not in immigration detention. | Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, but you may be younger than 15 years old at the time you submit your request. |
The Timeframe for Meeting the Guidelines
You must demonstrate:
| That on June 15, 2012, you | As of the date you file your request you |
|---|---|
| Were under the age of 31 years | Have resided continuously in the U.S. since June 15, 2007; |
| Were physically present in the United States | Had come to the United States before your 16th birthday |
| Had no lawful status | Were physically present in the United States; and |
| Are in school, have graduated from high school in the United States, or have a GED; or Are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States |
Education and Military Service Guidelines
| Your school or military status at the time of requesting DACA | Meet education or military service guidelines for DACA |
|---|---|
| I graduated from: • Public or private high school; or • Secondary school. Or I have obtained a GED. | Yes |
| I am currently enrolled in school. See the Education section of the FAQs for a full explanation of who is considered currently in school. | Yes |
| I was in school but dropped out and did not graduate. I am not currently in school and am not an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the U.S. | No |
| I am an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the U.S. | Yes |
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