We often hear questions about DACA from our clients. Who is eligible to apply for DACA? What will happen if I have a DUI conviction? What will happen if I was accused of domestic violence against my partner and I have DACA? Can my application for renewal be denied?
Please see below a list of FAQs:

​ I. General Information for All Requestors
A. What Is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals?

As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to focus its enforcement resources on those who pose the greatest threat to homeland security, DHS will exercise prosecutorial discretion as appropriate to ensure that enforcement resources are not expended on individuals who do not fall into this category, such as individuals who came to the United States as children and meet other key guidelines. Individuals who demonstrate that they meet the guidelines below may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) for a period of 2 years, subject to renewal for a period of 2 years, and may be eligible for employment authorization.
USCIS may approve a request for DACA only if we determine, in our sole discretion, that you meet each of the following threshold criteria and merit a favorable exercise of discretion:

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981);
2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the time of filing your request for DACA;
4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time you filed your request for DACA with USCIS;
5. Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012, and at the time you filed your request for DACA, meaning that:

• You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012*, or
• Any lawful immigration status or parole that you had before June 15, 2012, expired on or before June 15, 2012, and
• Any lawful status that you had after June 15, 2012, expired or otherwise terminated before you submitted your request for DACA;

1. Are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States; and
2. Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

* Please review Q19 below if you are currently in a lawful immigration status.

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If you have a pending request, we have online self-help tools you can use to check your case status and processing times, change your address, and send an inquiry about a case pending longer than posted processing times or about non-delivery of a card or document.
Q1: What is deferred action?
A1: Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion. For purposes of future inadmissibility based on prior periods of unlawful presence in the United States, an individual is not considered to be unlawfully present during the period when deferred action is in effect. An individual who has received deferred action is authorized by DHS to be in the United States for the duration of the deferred action period.  Deferred action recipients are also considered to be lawfully present as described in 8 C.F.R. sec. 1.3(a)(4)(vi) for purposes of eligibility for certain public benefits (such as certain Social Security benefits) during the period of deferred action. However, deferred action does not confer lawful immigration status upon an individual, nor does it excuse any previous or subsequent periods of unlawful presence they may have.
Under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(33), an individual who has been granted deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21 through 236.23, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, may receive employment authorization for the period of deferred action, provided they can demonstrate “an economic necessity for employment.”
Under 8 CFR 236.23(d), USCIS may terminate a grant of DACA at any time, at the agency’s discretion.  Please see Q28 for more information.
Q2: What is DACA?
A2: On June 15, 2012, the secretary of homeland security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of 2 years, subject to renewal, and, if approved, will then be eligible for work authorization if they can demonstrate economic necessity. On Aug. 30, 2022, DHS issued the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Final Rule to preserve and fortify the DACA policy. This rule, which puts into effect regulations at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25, rescinds and replaces the DACA guidance set forth in the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum. The final rule is effective as of Oct. 31, 2022.
Individuals who can demonstrate through verifiable documentation that they meet these guidelines will be considered for deferred action. We will make determinations on a case-by-case basis under the DACA final rule.
All guidance in these FAQs stems from the regulations at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.
Q3: I currently have DACA. How does the DACA Final Rule impact me?
A3: If you are a current DACA recipient, your grant of deferred action and related work authorization, as well as any DACA advance parole document issued, will remain in effect and will expire according to their existing terms. Any requests for renewals of those grants are now governed by the regulations at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 and not the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum.
Q4: Is there any difference between “deferred action” and DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A4: DACA is a form of deferred action. The relief an individual receives with a grant of DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 is identical for immigration purposes to the relief obtained by any person who receives deferred action as an act of prosecutorial discretion.
Q5: If my removal is deferred under the DACA final rule, am I eligible for employment authorization?
A5: Yes. Under the regulations at 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(33) , if you receive DACA under the DACA final rule, you may obtain employment authorization from USCIS provided you can demonstrate an economic necessity for employment.
Q6: If my case is deferred, am I in lawful status for the period of deferral?
A6: No. Although action on your case has been deferred and you do not accrue unlawful presence (for admissibility purposes) during the period of deferred action, deferred action does not confer any lawful immigration status.
The fact that you are not accruing unlawful presence does not change that you are in unlawful status while you remain in the United States. However, although deferred action does not confer a lawful immigration status, you may stay in the United States while your deferred action is in effect.  For admissibility purposes, you will not accrue “unlawful presence” while you have deferred action.  You are also considered to be “lawfully present” in the United States while you have deferred action for purposes of certain public benefits (such as certain Social Security benefits) as described in 8 C.F.R. sec. 1.3(a)(4)(vi). Federal law does not prevent individuals granted deferred action from establishing domicile in the United States.
Apart from the immigration laws, “lawful presence,” “lawful status” and similar terms are used in various other federal and state laws. For information on how those laws affect individuals who receive a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion under DACA, please contact the appropriate federal, state, or local authorities.
Note: It is a federal crime for a noncitizen who is “illegally or unlawfully in the United States,” among others, to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition, or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.  See 18 U.S. 922(g)(5)(A). This prohibition applies to DACA recipients.
Q7: Can I renew my period of deferred action and employment authorization under DACA?
A7: Yes. You may request consideration for a renewal of your DACA. We will consider your request for a renewal on a case-by-case basis under 8 CFR 236.22-23. If USCIS renews its exercise of discretion under DACA for your case, you will receive deferred action for another 2 years, and if you demonstrate an economic necessity for employment, you may receive employment authorization for that period.
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B. DACA Process
Q8: How do I request consideration of DACA?
A8: To request consideration of DACA (either as an initial request or to request renewal), you must submit Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, to USCIS. Please visit the Form I-821D webpage before you begin the process to make sure you are using the most current version of the form available. You must complete this form, sign the form, and include the required filing fee of $85. With Form I-821D you must also submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, the required Form I-765 filing fee, and Form I-765WS, Worksheet (PDF, 243.14 KB), establishing your economic need for employment. If you fail to submit a completed Form I-765 (along with the worksheet and accompanying filing fees for that form, please see the Form I-821D page for more information), we will not consider your request for deferred action. Please read the form instructions to ensure you answer the appropriate questions (determined by whether you are submitting an initial or renewal request) and that you submit all the required documentation to support your initial request.

If you are making an initial DACA request, you must file your request for consideration of DACA at the USCIS Lockbox. You can find the mailing address and instructions on the Form I-821D webpage. After we receive your Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765 Worksheet, we will review them for completeness, including submission of the required fee, initial evidence and supporting documents (for initial filings). Pursuant to current court orders, USCIS is accepting initial DACA requests but cannot adjudicate them at this time. If you are submitting a renewal DACA request, you may file your request at the USCIS Lockbox or online.
Instructions for Online Filing (DACA Renewal Requests Only)
DACA recipients may submit a DACA renewal request online. To file Form I-821D and Form I-765 online, you must first create a USCIS online account, which provides a convenient and secure method to submit Form I-821D, Form I-765 and Form I-765WS, pay fees, and track the status of any pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process. There is no cost to create an account, which offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox and respond online to Requests for Evidence. For additional information on filing a DACA renewal request online, see the Form I-821D webpage.  To be considered for DACA, you must submit Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765WS with your online DACA renewal requests.
After You Submit Your Request
If we determine your request is complete, we will send you a receipt notice. If you need to visit an Application Support Center (ASC) for biometric services, we will send you an appointment notice. Please make sure you read and follow the instructions in the notice. If you fail to attend your biometrics appointment, it may take longer for us to process your request for consideration of deferred action, or we may deny your request. You may also choose to receive an email or text message or both notifying you that we have accepted your form by completing a Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance.
We will review each request for consideration of DACA on an individual, case-by-case basis. We may request more information or evidence from you, or ask you to appear at a USCIS office. We will notify you of our determination in writing.
Note: All individuals who believe they meet the guidelines, including those in removal proceedings, with a final removal order, or with a voluntary departure order, may affirmatively request consideration of DACA from USCIS through this process. If you are currently in immigration detention and believe you meet the guidelines, you may request consideration of deferred action from USCIS, but we will not approve the request until you are released from detention. If you are requesting DACA, you should tell your deportation officer or follow directions at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) DACA webpage, which also has more information.
Q9: Can I obtain a fee waiver or fee exemption for this process?
A9: There are no fee waivers available for DACA requests or employment authorization applications connected to DACA. There are very limited fee exemptions available for Form I-821D and related Form I-765s. You must file a request for a fee exemption, and we must approve your request, before you file your Form I-821D and Form I-765 without fees. To be considered for a fee exemption, you must submit a letter and supporting documentation to USCIS demonstrating that you meet 1 of the following conditions:

• You cannot care for yourself because you suffer from a serious, chronic disability and your income is less than 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level; or
• You have, at the time of the request, accumulated $10,000 or more in debt in the past 12 months as a result of unreimbursed medical expenses for yourself or an immediate family member, and your income is less than 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level; or
• You are under 18 years of age, your income is less than 150% of the U.S. poverty level, and you are:
  • homeless, or
  • in foster care, or
  • otherwise lacking any parental or other familial support.

You can find additional information on our Fee Exemption Guidance webpage. Your fee exemption request must be submitted and decided before you submit a Form I-821D and related Form I-765 without fees. You must provide evidence that you meet any of the above conditions when you make the request. For evidence, we will accept:

• Affidavits from community-based or religious organizations establishing that you are homeless or lack parental or other familial financial support;
• Copies of tax returns, bank statement, pay stubs, or other reliable evidence of income level. Evidence can also include an affidavit from you or a responsible third party attesting that you do not file tax returns, have no bank accounts, or have no income to prove income level; and
• Copies of medical records, insurance records, bank statements, or other reliable evidence of unreimbursed medical expenses of at least $10,000.

We will address factual questions through Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
Q10: If individuals meet the guidelines for consideration of DACA and are encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or ICE, will they be placed into removal proceedings?
A10: Under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, if an individual meets the guidelines for DACA, CBP or ICE should exercise their discretion on a case-by-case basis to prevent qualifying individuals from being apprehended, placed into removal proceedings, or removed. If individuals believe that, in light of this policy, they should not have been apprehended or placed into removal proceedings, contact your case officer or the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024 (staffed 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday); or email [email protected]
Q11: Does this process apply to me if I am currently in removal proceedings, have a final removal order, or have a voluntary departure order?
A11: This process is open to any individual who can demonstrate they meet the guidelines for DACA consideration under 8 CFR 236.21 – 236.25, including those who have never been in removal proceedings as well as those in removal proceedings, with a final order of removal, or with a voluntary departure order.
Q12: If I am not in removal proceedings but believe I meet the guidelines for consideration of DACA, should I seek to place myself into removal proceedings through encounters with CBP or ICE?
A12: No. If you are not in removal proceedings but believe that you meet the guidelines for DACA consideration under 8 CFR 236.21 – 236.25, you should submit your DACA request to USCIS under the process outlined below and at 8 CFR 236.23.
Q13: Can I request consideration of DACA from USCIS if I am in immigration detention under the custody of ICE?
A13: Yes. If you are currently in immigration detention, you may request consideration of DACA from USCIS. However, if we decide to grant you DACA, we will not approve your DACA request until you are released from detention. If you are requesting DACA, you should tell your deportation officer.
Q14: If I am about to be removed by ICE and believe that I meet the guidelines for consideration of DACA, what should I do to seek review of my case before removal?
A14: If you believe you can demonstrate that you meet the guidelines and are about to be removed, you should immediately contact your case officer or the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024 (staffed 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday) or email [email protected].
Q15: What should I do if I meet the guidelines of this process and have been issued an ICE detainer following an arrest by a state or local law enforcement officer?
A15: If you meet the guidelines and have been served a detainer, you should immediately contact the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024 (staffed 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday–Friday); or email [email protected]
Q16: If I accepted an offer of administrative closure under the case-by-case review process or my case was terminated or dismissed as part of the case-by-case review process, can I be considered for deferred action under this process?
A16: Yes. If you can demonstrate that you meet the guidelines, you will be able to request consideration of DACA even if you have accepted an offer of administrative closure or termination under the case-by-case review process.
Q17: If I declined an offer of administrative closure under the case-by-case review process, can I be considered for deferred action under this process?
A17: Yes. If you can demonstrate that you meet the guidelines, you will be able to request consideration of DACA even if you declined an offer of administrative closure under the case-by-case review process.
Q18: If my case was reviewed as part of the case-by-case review process but I was not offered administrative closure, can I be considered for deferred action under this process?
A18: Yes. If you can demonstrate that you meet the guidelines, you will be able to request consideration of DACA even if you were not offered administrative closure following review of your case as part of the case-by-case review process.
Q19: Can I request consideration of DACA under this process if I am in a nonimmigrant status (for example F-1, E-2, H-4) or have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) at the time I submit my request?
A19: No. You can only request consideration of DACA under this process if, at the time of submitting your request and at the time of adjudication of your request, you have no immigration status and were not in any lawful status on June 15, 2012. However, a pending petition or application for nonimmigrant status does not prevent you from requesting DACA, if you otherwise meet the threshold criteria at 8 CFR 236.22.
Q20: Will the information I share in my request for consideration of DACA be used for immigration enforcement purposes?
A20: Under 8 CFR 236.23(e)(1), DHS will not use information about a requestor in a request for DACA to initiate immigration enforcement proceedings against that requestor, unless DHS is initiating immigration enforcement proceedings  due to a criminal offense, fraud, a threat to national security, or public safety concerns. Individuals whose cases are deferred under DACA will not be referred to ICE. The information may be shared with national security and law enforcement agencies, including ICE and CBP, for purposes other than removal, including for assistance in the consideration of DACA, to identify or prevent fraudulent claims, for national security purposes, or to investigate or prosecute a criminal offense.
Q21: If my case is referred to ICE for immigration enforcement purposes or if I receive a Notice to Appear, will ICE receive information about my family members and guardians for immigration enforcement purposes?
A21: Under 8 CFR § 236.23(e)(2), information contained in your DACA request related to your family members or guardians will not be used for immigration enforcement purposes against them. However, we may share this information with national security and law enforcement agencies, including ICE and CBP, for purposes other than removal, including for assistance in the consideration of DACA, to identify or prevent fraudulent claims, for national security purposes, or for the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense.
Q22: Will USCIS verify documents or statements I provide to support my request for DACA?
A22: We have the authority to verify documents, facts, and statements provided to support requests for DACA. We may contact education institutions, other government agencies, employers, or other entities to verify information.
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C. Background Checks

Q23: Will USCIS conduct a background check when you review my request for DACA?
A23: Yes. You must undergo biographic and biometric background checks before we will consider your DACA request.
Q24: What do background checks involve?
A24: Background checks involve checking biographic and biometric information provided by an individual against a variety of databases maintained by DHS and other federal government agencies.
Q25: What steps will USCIS and ICE take if I engage in fraud through the new process?
A25: If you knowingly misrepresent information, or knowingly fail to disclose facts, in an effort to obtain DACA or work authorization through this process, DHS will treat you as an immigration enforcement priority to the fullest extent permitted by law, and you will be subject to criminal prosecution or removal from the United States or both.
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D. After USCIS Makes a DecisionQ26: Can I appeal USCIS’ determination?
A26: No. You cannot file a motion to reopen or reconsider and cannot administratively appeal the decision if we deny your DACA request.
You may request a review of your Form I-821D denial by contacting the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833. USCIS will not review its discretionary determination to deny your request for DACA.  However, you can have a Service Request created if you believe that you actually met all of the DACA guidelines and that your request was denied because USCIS:

• Denied the request based on abandonment, when you actually responded to an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) within the prescribed time;
• Mailed the RFE or NOID to the wrong address although you had changed your address, either online at How to Change Your Address or with a customer service representative on the phone and submitted a Form AR-11, Change of Address, before USCIS issued the RFE or NOID.
  • To ensure the address is updated on a pending case as quickly as possible, we recommend that customers change your address online.  Please note that only an online change of address or a Form AR-11 submission will satisfy the legal requirements to notify us of an address change. Therefore, if you called a customer service representative to change your address, please be sure you also change your address online or with a Form AR-11.
• Denied the request on the grounds that you did not come to the United States before your 16th birthday, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you did arrive before reaching that age.
• Denied the request on the grounds that you were under age 15 at the time of filing but not in removal proceedings, while the evidence submitted at the time of filing show that you indeed were in removal proceedings when the request was filed;
• Denied the request on the grounds that you were 31 or older as of June 15, 2012, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
• Denied the request on the grounds that you had lawful status on June 15, 2012, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you indeed were in an unlawful immigration status on that date;
• Denied the request on the grounds that you were not physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and up through the date of filing, but the evidence submitted at the time of filing shows that you were, in fact, present;
• Denied on the grounds that you are not currently in school, have not graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have not obtained a GED certificate, and are not an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States;
• Denied the request due to your failure to appear at a USCIS ASC where we may collect your biometrics, when you in fact either did appear at a USCIS ASC to have this done or requested before the scheduled date of your biometrics appointment to have the appointment rescheduled; or
• Denied the request because you did not pay the filing fees for Form I-821D or Form I-765, when you actually did pay these fees.

Q27: If USCIS does not exercise deferred action in my case, will I be placed in removal proceedings?
A27: If USCIS denies your request for DACA under 8 CFR 236.23, we will not issue a Notice to Appear or refer your case to ICE for possible enforcement action based on our denial, unless we determine that your case involves denial for a criminal offense, fraud, a threat to national security, or public safety concerns. We may consider factors including, but not limited to, whether a misrepresentation is willful, material, and knowing in determining whether fraud is involved in a case.
Q28: Can USCIS terminate my DACA before it expires?
A28: Yes. DACA is an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, and under 8 CFR 236.23(d), we may terminate a grant of DACA at any time,  at USCIS’ discretion. We will provide a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) and an opportunity to respond before terminating a DACA grant, except we may terminate a grant of DACA without an NOIT and an opportunity to respond if you are convicted of a national security-related offense involving conduct described in 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii), (iv), or 1227(a)(4)(A)(i)), or an egregious public safety offense. If we terminate your grant of DACA without an NOIT and an opportunity to respond, we will notify you of the termination.
Q29: What happens to my employment authorization if USCIS terminates my DACA before it expires?
A29: A grant of employment authorization based on DACA, under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(33), will automatically terminate when DACA terminates. See 8 CFR 236.23(d)(3).
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II. Initial Requests for DACAQ

30: What guidelines must I meet to be considered for DACA?
A30: Pursuant to current court orders, USCIS is accepting, but not adjudicating, initial requests for DACA. Under 8 CFR 236.22, to be considered for DACA you must submit evidence, including supporting documents, showing that you:

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981);
2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up until you filed your request for DACA;
4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and when you filed your request for DACA with USCIS;
5. Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012,* and when you filed your request for DACA, meaning that:

• You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or
• Any lawful immigration status or parole that you had before June 15, 2012, expired as of June 15, 2012, and
• Any lawful status that you had after June 15, 2012, expired or otherwise terminated before you submitted your request for DACA;

1. Are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a GED certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States; and
2. Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

We consider on a case-by-case basis deferred action requests submitted under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25. Even if you meet the threshold criteria listed above and at 8 CFR 236.22(b), we retain the discretion to assess your circumstances and determine that any specific factor makes deferred action inappropriate. See 8 CFR 236.22(c).
* Please review Q19 if you are currently in a lawful immigration status.
Q31: I first came to the United States before I turned 16 years old, and I have been continuously residing in the United States since at least June 15, 2007. Before I turned 16 years old, however, I left the United States for some period of time before returning and beginning my current period of continuous residence. May I be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A31: Yes, but only if you established residence in the United States during the period before you turned 16 years old, as evidenced, for example, by records showing you attended school or worked in the United States during that time, or that you lived in the United States for multiple years during that time. In addition to establishing that you initially resided in the United States before you turned 16 years old, you must also have maintained continuous residence in the United States from June 15, 2007, until the present time to be considered for deferred action under this process. See 8 CFR 236.22(b)(1)-(2).
Q32: To prove my continuous residence in the United States since June 15, 2007, must I provide evidence documenting my presence for every day, or every month, of that period?
A32: To meet the continuous residence guideline under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(2), you must submit documentation that shows you have been living in the United States from June 15, 2007, up until the time of filing your request. You should provide documentation to account for as much of the period as reasonably possible, but there is no requirement that every day or month of that period be specifically accounted for through direct evidence.
It is helpful to USCIS if you can submit evidence of your residence during at least each year of the period. USCIS will review the documentation in its totality to determine whether it is more likely than not that you were continuously residing in the United States for the period since June 15, 2007. Gaps in the documentation for certain periods may raise doubts about your continued residence if they are lengthy or the record otherwise indicates that you may have been outside the United States for a period of time that was not brief, casual or innocent.
If gaps in your documentation raise questions, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence to allow you to submit additional documentation that supports your claimed continuous residence.
You may submit affidavits to explain a gap in the documentation demonstrating that you meet the 5-year continuous residence requirement. If you submit affidavits related to the continuous residence requirement, you must submit 2 or more affidavits, sworn to or affirmed by people other than yourself who have direct personal knowledge of the events and circumstances during the period when there is a gap in the documentation. You may only use affidavits to explain gaps in your continuous residence; you cannot use them as evidence that you meet the entire 5-year continuous residence requirement.
Q33: I came to the United States when I was very young and before I began attending school, so I do not have primary evidence of the start of my continuous residence in the United States. Can I submit an affidavit as proof of the start of my continuous residence period?
A33: DHS will accept affidavits for the start of the continuous residence period if you are a new initial requestor who arrived in the United States at or before age 8. We recognize that age 8 is the highest age at which school attendance becomes required within the United States, and that it may be more challenging for individuals who arrived before that age to provide primary evidence of the start of their continuous residence period.
Q34: Does “currently enrolled in school” refer to the date when I file the request for consideration of deferred action?
A34: To be considered “currently enrolled in school” under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5), you must be enrolled in school on the date you submit a DACA request.
Q35: Who is considered to be “currently enrolled in school” under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5)?
A35: To be considered “currently enrolled in school” under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5), you must be enrolled in:

• A public, private, or charter elementary school, junior high or middle school, high school, secondary school, alternative program, or homeschool program that meets state requirements;
• An education, literacy, or career training program (including vocational training) that has a purpose of improving literacy, mathematics, or English or is designed to lead to placement in postsecondary education, job training, or employment and where you are working toward such placement; or
• An education program helping students obtain a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent under state law (including a certificate of completion, certificate of attendance, or alternate award), or in passing a GED exam or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) in the United States.

Education, literacy, and career training programs (including vocational training), or education programs helping students obtain a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent under state law, or in passing a GED exam or other state-authorized exam in the United States, may include, but are not limited to, programs wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations. Programs funded by other sources may qualify if they have demonstrated effectiveness.
In assessing whether programs are of demonstrated effectiveness, USCIS will consider:

• The duration of the program’s existence;
• The program’s track record in:
  • Assisting students in obtaining a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
  • Passing a GED or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC); or
  • Placing students in postsecondary education, job training, or employment; and
• Other indicators of the program’s overall quality.

If you seek to demonstrate that you are “currently enrolled in school” with your enrollment in such a program, you must show the program’s demonstrated effectiveness.
Q36: How do I establish that I am currently enrolled in school?
A36: Documentation demonstrating that you are currently enrolled in school may include, but is not limited to:

• Evidence that you are enrolled in a public, private, or charter elementary school, junior high or middle school, high school or secondary school, alternative program, or homeschool program that meets state requirements; or
• Evidence that you are enrolled in an education, literacy, or career training program (including vocational training) that:
  • Has a purpose of improving literacy, mathematics, or English, or is designed to lead to placement in postsecondary education, job training, or employment and where you are working toward such placement; and
  • Is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations or, if funded by other sources, is of demonstrated effectiveness; or
• Evidence that you are enrolled in an education program assisting students in obtaining a high school equivalency diploma or certificate recognized under state law (such as by passing a GED exam or other state-authorized exam such as HiSet or TASC), and that the program is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations or, if funded by other sources, is of demonstrated effectiveness.

Evidence of enrollment may include acceptance letters, school registration cards, letters from a school or program, transcripts, report cards, or progress reports that may show the name of the school or program, date of enrollment, and current educational or grade level, if relevant. See Chart #1, below, for examples of documents.

Q37: What documentation may be sufficient to demonstrate that I have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school?
A37: See Chart #1, below, for examples of documents. Documentation demonstrating that you have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) may include, but is not limited to:

• A high school diploma from a public or private high school or secondary school; or
• A certificate of completion, a certificate of attendance, or an alternate award from a public or private high school or secondary school or a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma under state law, or a GED certificate or certificate from passing another such state authorized exam (e.g., HiSet or TASC) in the United States.

Q38: What documentation may be sufficient to demonstrate that I have obtained a GED certificate or certificate from passing a similar state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC)?
A38: See Chart #1, below, for examples of documents. Documentation demonstrating that you have obtained a GED certificate or certificate from passing a similar state-authorized exam for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) may include, but is not limited to, evidence that you have passed a GED exam or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) and received the recognized equivalent of a regular high school diploma under state law.
Q39: If I am enrolled in a literacy or career training program, can I meet the guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5)?
A39: Yes, in certain circumstances. You may be able to establish that you meet the education guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) if you are enrolled in an education, literacy, or career training program that has a purpose of improving literacy, mathematics, or English or is designed to lead to placement in postsecondary education, job training, or employment and where you are working toward such placement. Such programs include, but are not limited to, programs wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations, or if funded by other sources, are programs of demonstrated effectiveness.
Q40: If I am enrolled in an English as a second language (ESL) program, can I meet the guidelines?
A40: Yes, in certain circumstances. You may be able to establish that you meet the education criteria at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5) through enrollment in an ESL program if the ESL program is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants or administered by nonprofit organizations, or is a program of demonstrated effectiveness. You must submit direct documentary evidence that the program is wholly or partially funded by federal, state, county or municipal grants, administered by a nonprofit organization, or of demonstrated effectiveness.
Q41: Will USCIS consider evidence other than that listed in Chart #1 to show that I have met the education guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5)?
A41: No. We will not accept evidence that is not listed in Chart #1 to establish that you are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, or have obtained a GED or passed another state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5). You must submit any of the documentary evidence listed in Chart #1 to show that you meet the education guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(5).
Q42: Will USCIS consider evidence other than that listed in Chart #1 to show that I have met certain threshold criteria at 8 CFR 236.22(b)?
A42: You may use evidence other than those documents listed in Chart #1 to establish that you meet the following guidelines and factual showings, if available documentary evidence is insufficient or lacking and shows that:

• You were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
• You came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
• You satisfy the continuous residence requirement, as long as you present direct evidence of your continued residence in the United States for a portion of the required period and the circumstantial evidence is used only to fill in gaps in the length of continuous residence demonstrated by the direct evidence; and
• Any travel outside the United States during the period of required continuous presence was brief, casual, and innocent.

However, USCIS will not accept evidence other than the documents listed in Chart #1 as proof that you meet any of the following guidelines:

• You were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981); and
• You are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a GED certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States.

For example, even if you do not have documentary proof of your presence in the United States on June 15, 2012, you may still be able to demonstrate that you meet the guideline. You may do so by submitting credible documentary evidence that you were present in the United States shortly before and shortly after June 15, 2012, which may be enough to infer you were present June 15, 2012, as well. However, we will not accept evidence other than that listed in Chart #1 to establish that you have graduated high school. You must submit the designated documentary evidence to satisfy that you meet this guideline.
Chart #1 provides examples of documentation you may submit to demonstrate you meet the threshold criteria for DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25. Please see the instructions for Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, for additional details of acceptable documentation.
Chart #1 Examples of Documents to Submit to Demonstrate You Meet the Guidelines
Proof of identity

• Passport or national identity document from your country of origin
• Birth certificate with photo identification
• School or military ID with photo
• Any U.S. government immigration or other document bearing your name and photo

Proof you came to U.S. before your 16th birthday

• Passport with admission stamp
• Form I-94, Form I-95, or Form I-94W
• School records from the U.S. schools you have attended
• Any Immigration and Naturalization Service or DHS document stating your date of entry (Form I-862, Notice to Appear)
• Travel records
• Hospital or medical records
• Rent receipts or utility bills
• Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 Forms, etc.)
• Official records from a religious entity confirming participation in a religious ceremony
• Copies of money order receipts for money sent in or out of the United States
• Birth certificates of children born in the United States
• Dated bank transactions
• Automobile license receipts or registration
• Deeds, mortgages, rental agreement contracts
• Tax receipts, insurance policies

Proof of lack of lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your DACA request (8 CFR 236.22(b)(4))

• Form I-94/I-95/I-94W with authorized stay expiration date
• Final order of exclusion, deportation, or removal issued as of June 15, 2012
• A charging document placing you into removal proceedings

Proof of physical presence in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your DACA request (8 CFR 236.22(b)(3))

• Rent receipts or utility bills
• Employment records (pay stubs, W-2 Forms, etc.)
• School records (letters, report cards, etc.)
• Military records (Form DD-214 or NGB Form 22)
• Official records from a religious entity confirming participation in a religious ceremony
• Copies of money order receipts for money sent in or out of the United States
• Passport entries
• Birth certificates of children born in the United States
• Dated bank transactions
• Automobile license receipts or registration
• Deeds, mortgages, rental agreement contracts
• Tax receipts, insurance policies
• Affidavits for the start of the continuous presence period if you arrived in the United States before age 8

Proof you continuously resided in the United States from June 15, 2007, to the time of filing your DACA request (8 CFR 236.22(b)(2))
Proof of your education status at the time of requesting consideration of DACA (8 CFR 236.22(b)(5))

• School records (transcripts, report cards, etc.) from the school that you are currently attending in the United States showing the name(s) of the school(s) and periods of school attendance and the current educational or grade level
• U.S. high school diploma, certificate of completion, or other alternate award
• High school equivalency diploma or certificate recognized under state law
• Evidence that you passed a state-authorized exam, including the GED or other state-authorized exam (such as HiSet or TASC) in the United States

Proof you are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces or the U.S. Coast Guard (8 CFR 236.22(b)(5))

• Form DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
• NGB Form 22, National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service
• Military personnel records
• Military health records

Q43: May I file affidavits as proof that I meet the threshold criteria for consideration of DACA at 8 CFR 236.22(b)?
A43: Affidavits generally will not be sufficient on their own to demonstrate that you meet the threshold criteria at 8 CFR 236.22(b) for USCIS to consider you for DACA. However, you may use affidavits to support meeting the following guidelines if the documentary evidence available to you is insufficient or lacking:

• Demonstrating that you meet the 5-year continuous residence requirement;
• Establishing the start of the continuous residence period if you entered the United States before age 8; and
• Establishing that departures during the required period of continuous residence were brief, casual, and innocent.

If you submit affidavits related to the above criteria, you must submit 2 or more affidavits, sworn to or affirmed by people other than yourself, who have direct personal knowledge of the events and circumstances. If we determine that the affidavits are insufficient to overcome the unavailability or lack of documentary evidence with respect to either of these guidelines, we will issue a Request for Evidence, indicating you must submit further evidence to demonstrate that you meet these guidelines.

USCIS will not accept affidavits to satisfy the following guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b):

• You are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion or other alternate award from high school, have obtained a high school equivalency diploma or certificate (such as by passing the GED exam or other similar state-authorized exam such as HiSet or TASC), or are an honorably discharged veteran from the U.S. Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States;
• You were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
• You came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
• You were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981); and
• Your lack of disqualifying criminal history.

If the only evidence you submit to demonstrate you meet any of the above guidelines is an affidavit, we will issue a Request for Evidence, indicating that you have not demonstrated that you meet these guidelines and that you must submit evidence to demonstrate that you meet that guideline.
Q44: Can I be considered for deferred action under this process if I had an application for asylum or cancellation of removal pending before either USCIS or the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) on June 15, 2012?
A44: Yes. If you had an application for asylum or cancellation of removal, or similar relief, pending before either USCIS or EOIR as of June 15, 2012, but had no lawful status, you may request consideration of DACA.
Q45: I was admitted for "duration of status" or for a period of time that extended past June 14, 2012, but I violated my immigration status (for example, by engaging in unauthorized employment, failing to report to my employer, or failing to pursue a full course of study) before June 15, 2012. May I be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A45: No, unless the Executive Office for Immigration Review terminated your status by issuing a final order of removal against you before June 15, 2012.
Q46: I was admitted for "duration of status" or for a period of time that extended past June 14, 2012, but I "aged out" of my dependent nonimmigrant status as of June 15, 2012.  May I be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A46: Yes. For purposes of satisfying the “had no lawful status on June 15, 2012," guideline at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(4) alone, if you were admitted for duration of status or for a period of time that extended past June 14, 2012, but aged out of your dependent nonimmigrant status on or before June 15, 2012, (meaning you turned 21 years old on or before June 15, 2012), you may be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.
Q47: I was admitted for duration of status, but my status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is listed as terminated on or before June 15, 2012. May I be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A47: Yes. For the purposes of satisfying the “had no lawful status on June 15, 2012,” guideline at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(4) alone, if your status as of June 15, 2012, is listed as “terminated” in SEVIS, you may be considered for DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.
Q48: I am a Canadian citizen who was inspected by CBP but was not issued a Form I-94 at the time of admission. May I be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A48: In general, a Canadian citizen who was admitted as a visitor for business or pleasure and not issued a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record (also known as a “non-controlled” Canadian nonimmigrant) is lawfully admitted for a period of 6 months. For that reason, unless there is evidence, including verifiable evidence provided by the individual, that they were specifically advised that their admission would be for a different length of time, DHS will consider, for purposes of 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 only, that the noncitizen was lawfully admitted for a period of 6 months. If DHS is able to verify from its records that your last noncontrolled entry occurred on or before Dec. 14, 2011, DHS will consider your nonimmigrant visitor status to have expired as of June 15, 2012, and you may be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.
Q49: I used my Border Crossing Card (BCC) to obtain admission to the United States and was not issued a Form I-94 at the time of admission. May I be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A49: Because the limitations on entry for a BCC holder vary based on location of admission and travel, DHS will assume that the BCC holder who was not provided a Form I-94 was admitted for the longest period legally possible—30 days—unless the individual can demonstrate, through verifiable evidence, that they were specifically advised that their admission would be for a different length of time. Accordingly, if DHS is able to verify from its records that your last admission was using a BCC, you were not issued a Form I-94 at the time of admission, and it occurred on or before May 14, 2012, DHS will consider your nonimmigrant visitor status to have expired as of June 15, 2012, and you may be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.
Q50: Do I accrue unlawful presence if I have a pending initial request for consideration of DACA?
A50: You will continue to accrue unlawful presence while the request for consideration of DACA is pending unless you are under 18 years of age at the time of the request. If you are under 18 years of age at the time you submit your request, you will not accrue unlawful presence while the request is pending, even if you turn 18 while your request is pending with USCIS. If we grant your DACA request, you will not accrue unlawful presence during the period of deferred action. However, having deferred action will not excuse previously accrued unlawful presence.
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III. Renewal of DACAQ51: When should I file my DACA renewal request?
A51: We strongly encourage you to submit your DACA renewal request between 120 and 150 days (4 to 5 months) before the expiration date located on your current Form I-797 DACA approval notice and EAD. Filing during this window reduces the risk that your current period of DACA will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request. Filing earlier than 150 days before your current DACA expiration date will not result in a faster decision.
DACA recipients may submit a DACA renewal request online. To file Form I-821D and Form I-765 online, a DACA requestor must first create a USCIS online account, which provides a convenient and secure method to submit forms, pay fees and track the status of any pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process. There is no cost to set up an account, which offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox and respond online to Requests for Evidence. For additional information on filing a DACA renewal request online, go to the Form I-821D webpage. All online DACA renewal requests must include Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765WS and accompanying fees.

• USCIS’ current goal is to process DACA renewal requests within 120 days. You may submit an inquiry online about the status of your renewal request after it has been pending more than 105 days. Please Note: Factors that may affect the timely processing of your DACA renewal request include, but are not limited to:
  • If you fail to appear at an ASC for a scheduled biometrics appointment to obtain fingerprints and photographs. It will take longer to process your request if you miss or reschedule your appointments;
  • Issues of national security, criminality or public safety discovered during the background check process that require further vetting;
  • Issues of travel abroad that need additional evidence or clarification;
  • Name or date of birth discrepancies that may require additional evidence or clarification; or
  • A renewal submission that is incomplete or contains evidence that suggests a requestor may not satisfy the DACA renewal guidelines and we must request additional evidence or an explanation.

Q52: Can I file a renewal request outside the recommended filing period of 120 to 150 days before my current DACA expires?
A52: USCIS strongly encourages you to file your renewal request within the recommended 120- to 150-day filing period to minimize the possibility that your current period of DACA will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request. We will accept requests we receive earlier than 150 days before your current DACA expires; however, this could result in an overlap between your current DACA and your renewal. This means your renewal period may extend for less than a full 2 years from the date that your current DACA period expires.
If you file less than 120 days before your current period of DACA expires, there is more risk that your current period of DACA and employment authorization will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request. If you file after your most recent DACA period expires, but within 1 year of its expiration, you may submit a request to renew your DACA. If you are filing beyond 1 year after your most recent period of DACA expired, or if your most recent grant of DACA was terminated at any time, you may still request DACA by submitting a new initial request.
Please note: An ongoing July 16, 2021, injunction (PDF, 401.59 KB) from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and, on Oct. 14, 2022, was extended by the district court to the DACA final rule, remains in effect and prohibits DHS from granting initial DACA requests and related employment authorization under the final rule. Due to the partial stay of the injunction, DHS presently may grant DACA renewal requests under the final rule.
Q53: How will USCIS evaluate my request for renewal of DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A53: We may consider renewing your DACA if you met the guidelines for consideration of Initial DACA (see above and 8 CFR 236.22(b)) and you:

• Did not engage in unauthorized travel outside the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012;
• Have continuously resided in the United States since you submitted your most recent request for DACA that was approved up to the present time; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

These guidelines must be met for consideration of DACA renewal. We consider deferred action requests submitted under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 on a case-by-case basis. Even if you meet the guidelines, we have discretion to assess your circumstances and determine that deferred action is inappropriate. See 8 CFR 236.22I.
Q54. Do I accrue unlawful presence if I am seeking renewal and my previous period of DACA expires before I receive a renewal of deferred action under DACA? Similarly, what would happen to my work authorization?
A54: Yes, if your previous period of DACA expires before you receive a renewal of deferred action under DACA, you will accrue unlawful presence for any time between the periods of deferred action, unless you are under 18 years of age at the time you submit your renewal request.
Similarly, if your previous period of DACA expires before you receive a renewal of deferred action under DACA, you will not be authorized to work in the United States regardless of your age at time of filing until and unless you receive a new EAD from USCIS.
Q55. Do I need to provide additional documents when I request renewal of deferred action under DACA?
A55. No, unless you have new documents pertaining to removal proceedings or criminal history that you have not already submitted to USCIS in a previously approved DACA request. However, we reserve the authority, at our discretion, to request additional documents, information or statements relating to a DACA renewal request determination.
CAUTION: If you knowingly and willfully provide materially false information on Form I-821D, you will be committing a federal felony punishable by a fine, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001. In addition, you may be placed into removal proceedings, face severe penalties provided by law, and be subject to criminal prosecution.
Q56.; If I am no longer enrolled in school, can I still request to renew my DACA?
A56. Yes. Neither Form I-821D nor the instructions ask renewal requestors for information about continued school enrollment or graduation. The instructions for renewal requests specify that you may be considered for DACA renewal if you met the guidelines for consideration of initial DACA, including the educational guidelines and:

1. Did not engage in unauthorized travel outside the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, without advance parole;
2. Have continuously resided in the United States, up to the present time, since you submitted your most recent request for DACA that was approved; and
3. Have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)or 3 or more other misdemeanors and are not a threat to national security or public safety.

Q57. If I initially received DACA and was under age 31 on June 15, 2012, but have since become 31 or older, can I still request renewal of DACA?
A57. Yes. You may request consideration for a renewal of DACA as long as you were under age 31 as of June 15, 2012.

IV. TravelQ58: May I travel outside the United States before I submit an initial DACA request or while my initial DACA request is pending with USCIS?
A58: Any unauthorized travel outside of the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, will interrupt your continuous residence, and you will not be considered for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25. We will assess any travel outside of the United States that occurred on or after June 15, 2007, but before Aug. 15, 2012, to determine whether the travel qualifies as brief, casual and innocent. (See Chart #2.)
CAUTION: You should be aware that if you have been ordered deported or removed, and you then leave the United States, your departure will likely mean you are considered deported or removed, with potentially serious future immigration consequences.
Q59: If my case is deferred under DACA, will I be able to travel outside of the United States?
A59: Not automatically. If we decide to defer action in your case and you want to travel outside the United States, you must apply for an advance parole document by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and paying the applicable fee. We will determine whether your purpose for international travel is justifiable based on the circumstances you describe in your request. Generally, we will only issue an advance parole document if your travel abroad is for:

• Humanitarian purposes, including travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing relative;
• Educational purposes, such as semester abroad programs and academic research; or
• Employment purposes, such as overseas assignments, interviews, conferences or training, or meetings with clients overseas.

Travel for vacation is not a valid basis for advance parole.
Travel for educational purposes means travel affiliated with an institution that provides education as its primary purpose. The DACA recipient does not have to be enrolled in the institution that the program is affiliated with, but you must be enrolled in the program you will be traveling with.
You may not apply for an advance parole document unless and until USCIS approves your DACA request. If you are a current DACA recipient and submitting a renewal request, you may apply for advance parole at the same time to the separate filing address for advance parole requests. We will consider all advance parole requests on a case-by-case basis.
If USCIS has granted DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 after you have been ordered deported or removed, you may still request advance parole if you meet the guidelines for advance parole described above.
CAUTION: If you have been ordered deported or removed, before you actually leave the United States, you should seek to reopen your case before the EOIR and obtain administrative closure or termination of your removal proceeding. Even after you have asked EOIR to reopen your case, you should not leave the United States until after EOIR has granted your request. If you depart after being ordered deported or removed, and your removal proceeding has not been reopened and administratively closed or terminated, you may be considered deported or removed, with potentially serious future immigration consequences. If you have any questions about this process, you may contact ICE through the local ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor with jurisdiction over your case.
Q60: What happens to my DACA grant if I leave the United States without advance parole?
A60: CAUTION: When you leave the United States, you are no longer in a period of deferred action. DACA recipients who leave the United States without first obtaining an advance parole document run a significant risk of being unable to reenter the United States. We strongly encourage you to obtain an advance parole document before you leave to reduce the risk of being unable to return and resume DACA.
USCIS may terminate a grant of DACA, in its discretion and following issuance of a Notice of Intent to Terminate with an opportunity to respond, for DACA recipients who depart from the United States without first obtaining an advance parole document and subsequently enter the United States without inspection. See 8 CFR 236.23(d)(2). Generally, a recent entry without inspection will be a significant negative factor warranting termination of DACA as a threat to border security, but where there are exigent circumstances, such as accidental or involuntary border crossings, DHS may choose to continue exercising prosecutorial discretion and allow the grant of deferred action to continue.
DACA recipients who depart the United States without first obtaining advance parole but who are paroled into the United States may resume their DACA upon expiration of the period of parole.
Q61: Why does my advance parole document show a 1-day parole period?
A61: Your advance parole document may show a parole period of 1 day because it is to facilitate your reentry into the United States, at which time you will resume your current DACA validity period. This is different from the language on your advance parole document that authorizes a departure and reentry between specified dates. Please review your advance parole document carefully to understand the details of your travel authorization.
Q62: Do brief departures from the United States interrupt the continuous residence requirement?
A62: A brief, casual, and innocent absence from the United States will not interrupt your continuous residence. However, unauthorized travel outside of the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, will interrupt continuous residence, regardless of whether it was otherwise brief, casual, and innocent. Your absence from the United States will be considered brief, casual, and innocent if it was on or after June 15, 2007, and before Aug. 15, 2012, and:

1. The absence was short and reasonably calculated to accomplish the purpose for the absence;
2. The absence was not because of a post-June 15, 2007, order of exclusion, deportation, or removal;
3. The absence was not because of a post-June 15, 2007, order of voluntary departure, or an administrative grant of voluntary departure before you were placed in exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings; and
4. The purpose of the absence and your actions while outside the United States were not contrary to law.

Once USCIS has approved your request for DACA, you may file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to request advance parole to travel outside of the United States.
CAUTION: If you travel outside the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, without authorization and subsequently enter without inspection, DHS will issue you a Notice of Intent to Terminate and may, barring exigent circumstances, terminate your deferred action under DACA in its discretion,
Travel Guidelines (Chart #2)Travel Dates
Type of Travel
Does It Affect Continuous Residence
On or after June 15, 2007, but before Aug. 15, 2012
Brief, casual and innocent
No
For an extended time
Because of an order of exclusion, deportation, voluntary departure, or removal
To participate in criminal activity
Yes
On or after Aug. 15, 2012, and before you have requested DACA
Any
Yes. You cannot apply for advance parole unless and until DHS has determined whether to defer action in your case, and you cannot travel until you receive advance parole.
In addition, if you have previously been ordered deported and removed and you depart the United States without taking additional steps to address your removal proceedings, your departure will likely mean you are considered deported or removed, with potentially serious future immigration consequences.
On or after Aug. 15, 2012, and after you have requested DACA
Any
On or after Aug. 15, 2012, and after receiving DACA
Any
It depends. If you travel after receiving advance parole, the travel will not interrupt your continuous residence. However, if you travel without authorization, the travel will interrupt your continuous residence.
Q63: May I file a request for advance parole concurrently with my DACA package?
A63: You may file your DACA renewal request and a request for advance parole at the same time. The filing addresses are different, so you must file the requests separately. USCIS may not concurrently adjudicate the 2 requests.
If you are filing an initial DACA request, you may not concurrently file an advance parole request.
Q64: Will USCIS expedite the processing of a DACA Form I-131 advance parole application currently pending with USCIS?
A64: USCIS considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis and generally requires documentation to support such requests. The decision to grant or deny an expedite request is within the sole discretion of USCIS.  Please visit the USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 5 - Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions for more information and guidance on expedite requests.
Q65: What if I am experiencing an extremely urgent situation and have not filed my Form I-131 advance parole application?
A65:If you are experiencing an extremely urgent situation and need to travel within 90 days, you may request an emergency advance parole appointment at your local field office by contacting the USCIS Contact Center. You should bring the following items to your appointment:

• A completed and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document;
• The correct Form I-131 filing fee;
• Evidence to support the emergency request (such as medical documentation, death certificate, etc.); and
• 2 passport-style photos.

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V. Criminal ConvictionsQ66: If I have a conviction for a felony offense, a misdemeanor offense described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or multiple other misdemeanors, can I be granted DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A66: No. If you have been convicted of a felony offense, a misdemeanor offense described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), or 3 or more other misdemeanor offenses not occurring on the same date and not arising out of the same act, omission, or scheme of misconduct, we will not consider you for DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.
Q67: What offenses qualify as a felony?
A67: A felony is a federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
A single conviction for a felony offense is disqualifying for purposes of DACA.
Q68: What offenses constitute disqualifying misdemeanors (as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)) for purposes of DACA?
A68: For purposes of DACA, a misdemeanor (as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)) is a misdemeanor as defined by federal law (specifically, a misdemeanor for which the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is 1 year or less but greater than 5 days) that meets the following criteria:

1. Regardless of the sentence imposed, is an offense of domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or driving under the influence; or
2. If not an offense listed above, is an offense for which you were sentenced to time in custody of more than 90 days. The sentence must involve time to be served in custody, and does not include a suspended sentence.

The time in custody does not include any time served beyond the sentence for the criminal offense based on a state or local law enforcement agency honoring a detainer issued by ICE.
A single conviction for a misdemeanor offense as described above is disqualifying for purposes of DACA.
A single misdemeanor conviction that is not a misdemeanor as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6) is not per se disqualifying for DACA purposes. However, we may consider such offenses in the totality of circumstances to determine whether a DACA requestor merits a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion.
Notwithstanding the above, the decision whether to defer action in a particular case is an individualized, discretionary decision that takes into account all the circumstances. The absence of any misdemeanor convictions as described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6) is not necessarily determinative, but it is a factor we will consider when we exercise our discretion.
Q69: What offenses constitute “other misdemeanors” at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6))?
A69: For purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), an “other misdemeanor” is any misdemeanor as defined by federal law (specifically, a misdemeanor for which the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is 1 year or less but greater 5 days) that meets the following criteria:

1. Is not an offense of domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or driving under the influence; and
2. Is an offense for which the individual was sentenced to time in custody of 90 days or less. The time in custody does not include any time served beyond the sentence for the criminal offense based on a state or local law enforcement agency honoring a detainer issued by ICE.

Three or more convictions of “other misdemeanors” not occurring on the same date and not arising out of the same act, omission, or scheme of misconduct are disqualifying for purposes of DACA.
The decision to defer action in a particular case is an individualized, discretionary decision that takes into account all the circumstances. The absence of three or more convictions of “other misdemeanors”  is not necessarily determinative, but it is a factor we will consider when we exercise our discretion.
A single misdemeanor conviction that is not a misdemeanor as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6) is not per se disqualifying for DACA purposes. However, we may consider such offenses in the totality of circumstances to determine whether a DACA requestor merits a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion.
Q70: If I have a minor traffic offense, such as driving without a license, will it be considered a misdemeanor that counts towards the “3 or more other misdemeanors” and make me unable to receive consideration for an exercise of prosecutorial discretion under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25?
A70: We will not consider a minor traffic offense a misdemeanor for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), and it is not per se disqualifying for DACA purposes. However, we can consider your entire offense history along with other facts to determine whether, under the totality of the circumstances, you warrant a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion.
It is important to emphasize that driving under the influence is a disqualifying misdemeanor as described at 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), regardless of the sentence imposed.
Q71: What qualifies as a national security or public safety threat?
A71: If the background check or other information uncovered during the review of your request for deferred action indicates that your presence in the United States threatens public safety or national security, we will not grant your DACA request. Indicators that you pose such a threat include, but are not limited to, gang membership, participation in criminal activities, or participation in activities that threaten the United States.
Q72: Will offenses criminalized as felonies or misdemeanors by state immigration laws be considered disqualifying convictions for purpose of DACA?
A72: No. Under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), convictions under state laws (including U.S. territories) for immigration-related offenses are not considered convictions for purposes of DACA.
Q73: Will USCIS consider my expunged conviction or juvenile delinquency adjudication as a disqualifying conviction for purposes of DACA?
A73: No. Under 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6), we do not consider expunged convictions and juvenile delinquency adjudications disqualifying convictions for purposes of DACA. However, we will assess expunged convictions and juvenile delinquency adjudications on a case-by-case basis to determine whether, under the particular circumstances, you present a national security or public safety concern and a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion is otherwise warranted. If you were a juvenile, but tried and convicted as an adult, we will not consider your conviction a juvenile delinquency adjudication.
Return to top.

VI. MiscellaneousQ74: Can USCIS terminate my DACA grant?
A74: DHS may seek to terminate a grant of DACA at any time in its discretion. However, in most cases USCIS will provide DACA recipients with a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT), with an opportunity to respond, before termination. We have discretion to terminate without providing a DACA recipient a NOIT and opportunity to respond if you were convicted of a national security-related offense involving conduct described in 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii), 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv), or 1227(a)(4)(A)(i), or an egregious public safety offense.
Q75: Does deferred action provide a path to permanent resident status (a Green Card) or citizenship?
A75: No. Deferred action is a form of prosecutorial discretion that does not confer lawful permanent resident status or a path to citizenship. Only Congress, acting through its legislative authority, can confer these rights.
Q76: Can I be considered for deferred action even if I do not meet the guidelines to be considered for DACA?
A76: The process at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 is only for individuals who meet the specific guidelines for DACA. Other individuals may, on a case-by-case basis, request deferred action from USCIS or ICE in certain circumstances, consistent with longstanding practice.
Q77: How will ICE and USCIS handle cases involving individuals who do not satisfy the guidelines of this process but believe they may otherwise warrant an exercise of prosecutorial discretion?
A77: If USCIS determines that you do not satisfy the DACA guidelines at 8 CFR 236.22(b) or otherwise determines you do not warrant a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion, then we will decline to defer action in your case. If you are currently in removal proceedings, have a final order, or have a voluntary departure order, you may then request ICE consider whether to exercise prosecutorial discretion. Guidance on requests to ICE for prosecutorial discretion is available at ICE’s Prosecutorial Discretion webpage.
Q78: How should I fill out question 9 on Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization?
A78. When you are filing a Form I-765 as part of a DACA request, question 9 is asking you to list those Social Security numbers that were officially issued to you by the Social Security Administration.
Q79: Is there supervisory review of decisions by USCIS under this process?
A79: Yes. USCIS has implemented a successful supervisory review process to ensure a consistent process for considering requests for DACA under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25.
Q80: Do USCIS personnel responsible for reviewing requests for DACA receive special training?
A80: Yes. USCIS personnel responsible for considering requests for consideration of DACA have received special training.
Q81: Must attorneys and accredited representatives who provide pro bono services to deferred action requestors at group assistance events file a Form G-28 with USCIS?
A81: Under 8 C.F.R. §§ 292.3 and 1003.102, practitioners are required to file Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, when they engage in practice in immigration matters before DHS, either in person or through the preparation or filing of any brief, application, petition, or other document. Under these rules, a practitioner who consistently violates the requirement to file a Form G-28 may be subject to disciplinary sanctions; however on Feb. 28, 2011, USCIS issued a statement indicating that it does not intend to initiate disciplinary proceedings against practitioners (attorneys and accredited representatives) based solely on the failure to submit a Form G-28 in relation to pro bono services provided at group assistance events. DHS is in the process of issuing a final rule, at which time this matter will be reevaluated.
Q82: When must an individual sign a Form I-821D as a preparer?
A82: Anytime someone other than the requestor prepares or helps fill out the Form I-821D, that individual must complete Part 5 of the form.
Q83: If I provide my employee with information regarding their employment to support a request for consideration of DACA, will that information be used for immigration enforcement purposes against me or my company?
A83: You may, as you determine appropriate, provide individuals requesting DACA with documentation which verifies their employment. This information will not be shared with ICE for civil immigration enforcement purposes under section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (relating to unlawful employment) unless there is evidence of egregious violations of criminal statutes or widespread abuses.
Q84: Can I request consideration for deferred action under 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 if I live in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)?
A84: Yes, in certain circumstances. The CNMI is part of the United States for immigration purposes and is not excluded from this process. However, because of the specific guidelines for consideration of DACA, individuals who have been residents of the CNMI are in most cases unlikely to meet the criteria at 8 CFR 236.22(b). You must, among other things, have come to the United States before your 16th birthday and have resided continuously in the United States since June 15, 2007.
Under the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, the CNMI became part of the United States for purposes of immigration law only on Nov. 28, 2009. Therefore, entry into, or residence in, the CNMI before that date is not entry into, or residence in, the United States for purposes of 8 CFR 236.22(b).
USCIS has used parole authority in a variety of situations in the CNMI to address particular humanitarian needs on a case-by-case basis since Nov. 28, 2009. If you live in the CNMI and believe that you meet the guidelines for consideration of deferred action under this process, except that your entry or residence to the CNMI took place entirely or in part before Nov. 28, 2009, USCIS is willing to consider your situation on a case-by-case basis for a grant of parole. If this situation applies to you, you should make an appointment  in Saipan to discuss your case with an immigration officer.
Q85: Will USCIS expedite the processing of my pending DACA request?
A85: USCIS considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis and generally requires documentation to support such requests. The decision to grant or deny an expedite request is within the sole discretion of USCIS. Please visit the USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 5 - Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions for more information and guidance on expedite requests.
Evidence demonstrating the humanitarian need for expediting your DACA request may include, but is not limited to, evidence of loss of employment, disenrollment from an educational program, or medical or health-related emergencies.
USCIS continues to strongly recommend that you submit your DACA renewal requests between 120 and 150 days before your current period of DACA expires to minimize the risk of your DACA lapsing.
Q86: Someone told me if I pay them a fee, they can expedite my DACA request. Is this true?
A86: No. While practitioners may charge a fee for preparation of your DACA request, including a request to expedite, an attorney or accredited representative who guarantees faster processing by USCIS if you pay them a fee may be trying to scam you and take your money. Visit our Avoid Scams page to learn how you can protect yourself from immigration scams.
Although you may request that USCIS expedite processing of your DACA request, there is no fee to request expedited processing. Make sure you seek information about requests for consideration of DACA from official government sources such as USCIS or DHS. If you are seeking legal advice, visit our Find Legal Services page to learn how to choose a licensed attorney or accredited representative.
Q87: Am I required to register with the Selective Service?
A87:  Most male persons residing in the United States, who are ages 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Visit the Selective Service System website for more information.
Q88: How can I tell if an employer is discriminating against me because I am a DACA recipient?
A88: An employer may be engaging in discrimination if they:

• Demand that an employee show specific documents or ask for more or different documents than are required to complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, or create an E-Verify case; or
• Reject documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents that reasonably appear to be genuine and relate to the employee, including documentation showing work authorization because it has a future expiration date or because of an employee’s prior unauthorized status.

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has an office dedicated to ensuring that employers do not discriminate against individuals who are permitted to work in the United States. These include DACA recipients who have been granted work authorization. If you think your employer may be discriminating against you, contact the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-237-2515).
For more information about unfair employment practices against DACA recipients, please read IER’s factsheet in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF).
For additional resources and information about workers’ rights, visit the Department of Justice Reminders for DACA Recipients and Employers webpage.

Alcohol-related crimes, charges, convictions are a health-related ground of inadmissibility to the United States.

USCIS, DHS, ICE, Department of State and other immigration authorities are now following the new policy regarding the individuals who have alcohol-related charges, arrests or offenses. Immigrants should keep in mind the consequences of having even one alcohol related criminal charge or offense, which means that USCIS possibly can find them ineligible for an extension of status, change of status, adjustment of status request.

In some cases (not always) it could be possible to leave the U.S.A. and apply for a visa at the U.S. Consulate abroad. However, U.S. Consulates abroad can require applicants to be evaluated by a designated panel physician who will evaluate whether the visa applicant has a physical or mental disorder associated with alcohol use that may pose a threat to the property, safety or welfare of others in the United States.

It should be noted that the U.S. Consulates are now often revoking already issued and valid visas of affected foreign nationals when they receive a law enforcement report of a DUI-related arrest or conviction regardless of whether individuals are in the United States or abroad at the time. A person can receive a phone call or email asking him or her to come to the U.S. Consulate with a passport (no explanations given), so a visa can be physically revoked (cancelled). Most people are unaware that their visas are revoked until they try to return to the United States after travel abroad.  ​Some people with alcohol-related charges receive letters from the U.S. Department of State notifying them of their visa revocation. 

Because these negative consequences are result of the health-related ground of inadmissibility, it means that no conviction is necessary (arrest and charged are enough). 

Until recently, the only affected groups of people were the visa holders with a single alcohol-related arrest or conviction within the last five years, or two or more alcohol-related arrests or convictions.

Under the current policy, it only takes a single alcohol-related charge to trigger action by U.S. authorities. USCIS is now identifying alcohol-related offenses and denying requests for an extension of status in any visa classification.

Until recently and before this policy change, U.S. Consulates only referred visa holders to a panel physician for evaluation when a new visa application was made. Now, U.S. Consulates are responding to law enforcement reports proactively by revoking the already approved and issued visas of anyone who has an alcohol-related charge even in situations where an individual hasn’t made a new visa application.

If USCIS denied an application for extension or change of status, the applicant will have to leave the country and apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, in his home country. “Every nonimmigrant alien who applies for admission to, or an extension of stay in, the United States must establish that he or she is ​admissible to the United States, or that any ground of inadmissibility has been waived.” In other words, it is an applicant's burden to prove that he/she is not inadmissible. 

An alcohol-related charge is a health ground of inadmissibility, which means that a conviction is not required and charges alone can trigger inadmissibility. Visa holders affected by this rule are not removable (not deportable on this ground) from the United States.

If a visa is denied, can a visa applicant file an appeal of denial of a Visa Application at the U.S. Consulate abroad?  No, you can't appeal a visa denial. There is no appeal process to challenge a consular officer’s decision to deny a visa application. The doctrine of "nonreviewability of consular decisions" was affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 in the case Kerry v. Din .

Another important moment to keep in mind is that neither the visa applicant nor the attorney can review the panel physician’s medical report.

What else can be done? People can ask for an Advisory Opinion from the Department of State’s Visa Office. Also, visa applicants can dispute the findings of the panel physician by asking the consular officer to request an Advisory Opinion from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which the consular officer can refuse to do without recourse. Both of these options take a lot of time. As a result, most of the nonimmigrant visa applicants have to obtain a nonimmigrant waiver of inadmissibility through the DHS, which could take six months or longer to process, and during this time the visa applicant has to wait abroad. Approval of any immigrant or nonimmigrant visa waiver is not guaranteed.

During October 19, 2017 meeting, AILA asked the US Department of State Liaison Committee and the Visa Office the following question:

"AILA has received reports of visa holders whose visas were prudentially revoked for DUI arrests while they are in the United States being charged by ICE as removable under INA §237(a)(1)(B), for being physically present in the United States with a revoked nonimmigrant visa. Based on our previous conversations, it is our understanding that a prudential revocation only becomes effective once the alien departs the United States. Has VO discussed this issue with DHS? If prudential revocations are now leading to the initiation of removal proceedings, would VO be willing to revisit the issue to ensure that the prudential revocation only precludes future travel to the United States?"

DoS answer: "We’ve discussed this with ICE, and there has not been a policy change."

New USCIS waiver policy memorandum (08/23/2017).

Updated USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 7, Physical or Mental Disorders.

Nonimmigrant waiver application.

Immigrant waiver application.

November 2, 2016

PA-2016-07
Policy Alert

SUBJECT: Definition of Certain Classes of Medical Conditions and Other Updates Relating to Health-Related Grounds of Inadmissibility

Purpose:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding health-related grounds of inadmissibility in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rulemaking updating Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 34 (42 CFR 34).

Background:

On January 26, 2016, HHS published the final rule updating HHS’s regulation. USCIS is updating its guidance in Volume 8, Part B of the Policy Manual to reflect the changes to the HHS regulation. The HHS final rule was effective on March 28, 2016. Accordingly, the updates made to the USCIS Policy Manual are effective as of March 28, 2016. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any prior guidance.

Policy Highlights:

Updates the definition of a Class A condition, to include failure to present documentation of having received vaccinations against vaccine preventable diseases.
 Updates the definition of a Class B condition to “health conditions, diseases, or disability serious in degree or permanent in nature.”
 Updates the definition of physical and mental disorders with associated harmful behavior and the definition of drug abuse and drug addiction.
 Removes 3 medical conditions (chancroid, granuloma inguinale, and lymphogranuloma venereum) from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance that would render an applicant for immigration benefits inadmissible on health-related grounds of inadmissibility.

Citation Volume 8: Admissibility, Part B, Health-Related Grounds of Inadmissibility [8 USCIS-PM B].

The USCIS Policy Manual has been updated to provide guidance regarding health-related grounds of inadmissibility in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rulemaking updating Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 34 (42 CFR 34).  

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CHAPTER 7:

A. Physical or Mental Disorders with Associated Harmful Behavior​ [1]​Applicants who have physical or mental disorders and harmful behavior associated with those disorders are inadmissible.​ [2] The inadmissibility ground is divided into two subcategories:​
​•Current physical or mental disorders, with associated harmful behavior. ​
​
•Past physical or mental disorders, with associated harmful behavior that is likely to recur or lead to other harmful behavior. ​
​There must be both a physical or mental disorder and harmful behavior to make an applicant inadmissible based on this ground. Neither ​harmful behavior nor a physical or ​mental disorder alone renders an applicant inadmissible on this ground. Harmful behavior is defined as behavior that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the applicant or others.​
​
A physical disorder is a currently accepted medical diagnosis as defined by the current edition of the Manual of International Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death published by the World Health Organization or by another authoritative source as determined by the Director.​ [3] Officers should consult the Technical Instructions for additional information, if needed.​
​A mental disorder is a currently accepted psychiatric diagnosis, as defined by the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association or by another authoritative source as determined by the Director.​ [4] Officers should consult the Technical Instructions for additional information, if needed.​
​Under the Technical Instructions, a diagnosis of substance abuse/addiction for a substance that ​is not listed​ in Section 202 of the Controlled Substance​s​ Act (with current associated harmful behavior or a history of associated harmful behavior judged likely to recur) is classified as a mental disorder.​ [5]
​Under prior Technical Instructions and the July 20, 2010 or older versions of the form, these conditions were summarized under the drug abuse/addiction part of the form. An officer, however, should not find an applicant inadmissible for “drug abuse/addiction” if a non-controlled substance is involved.​
​
B. Relevance of Alcohol-Related Driving Arrests or Convictions​​
1. Alcohol Use and Driving​
​Alcohol ​is not listed​ in Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act.​ [6] Therefore, alcohol use disorders ​are treated​ as a physical or mental disorder for purposes of determining inadmissibility. As a result, an applicant with an alcohol use disorder will not be deemed inadmissible unless there is current associated harmful behavior or past associated harmful behavior likely to recur. The harmful behavior must be such that it poses, has posed, or is likely to pose a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the applicant or others. ​
​In the course of adjudicating benefit applications, officers frequently encounter criminal histories that include arrests and/or convictions for alcohol-related driving incidents, such as DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated). These histories may or may not rise to the level of a criminal ground of inadmissibility.​ [7] A record of criminal arrests and/or convictions for alcohol-related driving incidents may constitute evidence of a health-related inadmissibility as a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior.​
​Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol is clearly an associated harmful behavior that poses a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the applicant or others. Where a civil surgeon’s mental status evaluation diagnoses the presence of an alcohol use disorder (abuse or dependence), and where there is evidence of harmful behavior associated with the disorder, a Class A medical condition should be certified on ​Form I-693​. ​
2. Re-Examination​s​ ​

​Requesting ​Re-Examinations​
​Some applicants may fail to report, or may underreport, alcohol-related driving incidents in response to the civil surgeon’s queries. Where these incidents resulted in an arrest, they may be subsequently revealed in the criminal history record resulting from a routine fingerprint check. Consequently, a criminal record printout revealing a significant history of alcohol-related driving arrests may conflict with the medical examination report that indicates no alcohol-related driving incidents were reported to or evaluated by the civil surgeon.​
​In such an instance, an officer may require the applicant to be re-examined. The re-examination would be limited to a mental status​ ​evaluation specifically considering the record of alcohol-related driving incidents. On the ​Request for Evidence (​RFE​)​, officers should use the following language: “Please return to the civil surgeon for purposes of conducting a mental status evaluation specifically considering the record of alcohol-related driving incidents.”​
​Upon re-examination, the civil surgeon may refer the applicant for further evaluation to a psychiatrist or to a specialist in substance-abuse disorders as provided for under the Technical Instructions. After such referral, the civil surgeon will determine whether a Class A medical condition exists and amend the ​Form I-693​ accordingly. The determination of a Class A condition is wholly dependent on the medical diagnosis of a designated civil surgeon.​ ​
​
Re-Examination for​ Significant Criminal Record of Alcohol-Related Driving Incidents​
​Only applicants with a significant criminal record of alcohol-related driving incidents that were not considered by the civil surgeon during the original medical examination should be referred for re-examination. ​
​The actual criminal charges for alcohol-related driving incidents vary among the different states. A significant criminal record of alcohol-related driving incidents includes:​
​•One or more arrests/convictions for alcohol-related driving incidents (DUI/DWI) while the driver’s license was suspended, revoked, or restricted at the time of the arrest due to a previous alcohol-related driving incident(s).​
​•One or more arrests/convictions for alcohol-related driving incidents where personal injury or death resulted from the incident(s).​
​•One or more convictions for alcohol-related driving incidents where the conviction was a felony in the jurisdiction in which it occurred or where a sentence of incarceration was actually imposed.​
​•One arrest/conviction for alcohol-related driving incidents within the preceding ​5​ years.​ [8]
​​•Two or more arrests/convictions for alcohol-related driving incidents within the preceding ​10​ years.​ [9]
​
If the officer finds that the criminal record appears to contradict the civil surgeon’s finding in the medical examination report, then the officer should request a re-examination.​
​
Example:​ An applicant’s criminal record shows that she was convicted for DWI-related vehicular manslaughter. However, the medical examination report reflects that no Class A or B physical or mental disorder was found. In this case, the officer should request a re-examination because the medical examination report finding should have reflected that the applicant has a history relating to an alcohol-related driving incident that could indicate a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior. ​
​

3. Determination Based on Re-Examination​​

Upon completion of the re-examination, the officer should determine whether the applicant is inadmissible. If the civil surgeon annotated a Class A condition, the applicant is inadmissible. If no Class A condition is certified by the civil surgeon, the officer may not determine that the applicant is inadmissible. In exceptional cases, the officer may seek review of the civil surgeon’s determination from CDC. ​
​
If the applicant is inadmissible, he or she may file an application for waiver of inadmissibility.​ [10] ​
​
C. Relevance of Other Evidence​​
The guidance relating to alcohol-related driving arrests or convictions described above applies to any similar scenario where the record of proceeding contains evidence that may indicate inadmissibility due to a mental or physical disorder with associated harmful behavior that was not considered by the civil surgeon in the original medical examination. Such evidence includes, but is not limited to: ​
​
•A prior finding of inadmissibility due to a mental disorder. ​
​
•A history of institutionalization for a mental disorder. ​
​
•A criminal history other than ​drunk​ driving arrests/convictions, such as assaults and domestic violence, in which alcohol or a psychoactive substance was a contributing factor. ​
​
•Any other evidence that suggests an alcohol problem.​
​
•Other criminal arrests where there is a reasonable possibility of a mental disorder as a contributing factor. ​
​
Accordingly, where the record of proceeding available to the officer contains evidence suggestive of a mental disorder, and the ​Form I-693​ medical report does not reflect that the evidence was considered by the civil surgeon, the applicant must be required to undergo a mental status re-examination by a civil surgeon specifically addressing the adverse evidence that may not have initially been revealed to the civil surgeon.​
​
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CHAPTER 8:

A. Drug Abuse or Drug Addiction​​Applicants who ​are found​ to be drug abusers or addicts are inadmissible.​ [1] 

Drug abuse and drug addiction ​are current substance-use disorders or substance-induced disorders of a controlled substance listed in Section 202 of the Controlled Substance​s​ Act, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association or by another authoritative source as determined by the Director.​ [2] ​
​In 2010, ​the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (​CDC​)​ changed the Technical Instructions on how a civil surgeon determines whether an applicant is a drug abuser or drug addict.​ [3] The civil surgeon must now make this determination according to the DSM as specified in the Technical Instructions.​ [4] ​
​If the applicant is classified as a drug abuser or addict, the applicant can apply again for an immigration benefit if his or her drug abuse or addiction is in remission. Remission is now defined by DSM criteria, and no longer by a set timeframe as it was under previous Technical Instructions.​ [5] In order for an applicant’s drug abuse or addiction to be classified as in remission, the applicant must return to a civil surgeon for a new assessment. ​
​If the officer has reason to question the completeness or accuracy of the medical examination report, the officer should ask CDC to review the ​medical report before sending a Request for Evidence​ ​(​RFE​)​.​
​Most applicants who are found to be drug abusers or addicts are ineligible for a waiver; the availability depends, however, on the immigration benefit the ​applicant seeks.​ [6] ​
B. Part of ​Form I-693​ Addressing Drug Abuse or Drug Addiction​

​The civil surgeon must check the appropriate findings box on the medical examination report. The civil surgeon should also either annotate the findings in the remarks section or attach a report, if the space provided is not sufficient. However, the officer should not RFE simply because the civil surgeon has omitted the remarks or failed to attach a report. ​
-------------------------------

CHAPTER 11: INADMISSIBILITY DETERMINATION

A. Civil Surgeon or Panel Physician​ ​Documentation​​
If a “Class A condition” is noted on the medical form, it is conclusive evidence that the applicant is inadmissible. The Class A annotation may also indicate that an applicant could be inadmissible on other grounds of inadmissibility. For example, “harmful behavior” associated with a physical or mental disorder, or illegal drug use, may have resulted in criminal convictions that make an applicant inadmissible under ​INA 212(a)(2)​. However, a criminal conviction should be supported by conviction records or similar evidence, and not just the medical examination report.​ [1] ​
​
If a civil surgeon or panel physician only annotates a “Class B condition” (per HHS regulations), the applicant is ​never​ inadmissible on health-related grounds. The officer should remember that if the civil surgeon or panel physician indicates on the ​Form I-693​ that a former Class A condition is now a Class B condition, the applicant is no longer inadmissible. However, a Class B condition may indicate that the applicant could be inadmissible on other grounds because of the condition, such as public charge.​ [2] ​
​
The officer may encounter medical documentation that is not fully completed. In this c​ase, the officer should issue a Request for Evidence​ ​(​RFE​)​. If the physician fails to properly complete the form in response to the RFE, the applicant has not established that he or she is clearly admissible to the United States.​ [3] ​
​
B. Applicant’s Declaration​​
If the applicant indicates that he or she may be inadmissible based on a medical reason, the officer must order a medical examination of the applicant. Based on the results of that medical exam, the officer should ascertain whether the applicant actually has a Class A, Class B, or no condition at all that is relevant to the applicant’s admissibility. The applicant should not be found inadmissible unless the medical examination confirms the presence of a Class A medical condition.​
​
C. Other Information​ ​​
Even if the civil surgeon or panel physician did not annotate a Class A or B condition in the medical documentation, or if the applicant was not required to undergo a medical examination, the officer may order or reorder an immigration medical examination at any time if he or she has concerns as to an applicant’s inadmissibility on health-related grounds. ​
​
The concern should be based on information in the A-file, information that is revealed by the applicant or another applicant during an interview, or information revealed during a background investigation. ​
​

D. Other Grounds ​of ​Inadmissibility​​
1. General​ ​Considerations​​
Where relevant, the information contained in the medical examination can be used to determine whether other grounds of inadmissibility may apply. For instance, health is one factor to consider when determining if someone is inadmissible on public charge grounds. This factor must, however, be considered in light of all other factors specified by law​ [4] and in standard public charge guidance.​ [5] ​
​
2. Criminal ​Grounds​​
An applicant may be inadmissible on criminal grounds if he or she has admitted to committing certain controlled substance violations.​ [6] ​An applicant may acknowledge to a civil surgeon or a panel physician that he or she has used a controlled substance, which the physician then may annotate on the medical documentation. ​
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USCIS does not consider this acknowledgement, in and of itself, a valid admission that would make an applicant inadmissible on criminal grounds.​ [7]However such an acknowledgment of drug use may open a line of questioning to determine c​riminal inadmissibility. USCIS o​fficers should find that an applicant has made a valid “admission” of a crime only when the admission is made in accordance with the requirements outlined by the Bo​ard of Immigration Appeals​.​[8] ​
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E. Privacy Concerns​
​An officer should take great care to regard the privacy of the applicant. The officer should generally not discuss the applicant’s medical issues with applicants other than the applicant, his or her counsel, immigration officers, or other government officials​ [9] who clearly have a need to know the information.​

​​The officer should not directly contact a civil surgeon to discuss an applicant’s inadmissibility or medical issues. If the officer has any concerns that cannot be resolved by reviewing the evidence in the record, the officer should issue an RFE.​
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