If you are a DACA recipient living in Oregon or Washington, renewing on time is the single most important thing you can do to protect your work authorization and shield yourself from removal. Here is the process, timed from the perspective of someone living in the Pacific Northwest.
When to File Your DACA Renewal
USCIS recommends filing your renewal between 120 and 150 days before your current DACA and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expire. Filing earlier risks rejection; filing later risks a lapse in work authorization. Set a calendar reminder the day you receive your approval so the next renewal does not creep up on you.
Forms and Supporting Documents
A standard DACA renewal package includes:
- Form I-821D — Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
- Form I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization
- Form I-765WS — Worksheet establishing economic necessity
- Two passport-style photos
- Copy of your current EAD (front and back)
- Filing fee (currently $555 combined; verify on the USCIS fee schedule before mailing)
Biometrics Appointment
After USCIS receives your package, you will receive a biometrics appointment notice. Applicants in Oregon are typically scheduled at the USCIS Application Support Center in Portland; Washington applicants are usually scheduled in Tukwila or Yakima. Bring your appointment notice and a government-issued photo ID.
Common Pitfalls We See in Oregon and Washington
- Address changes not filed (Form AR-11). USCIS mails every notice to the address on file. Missing a Request for Evidence because you moved can delay your case by months.
- Arrests between renewals. Even a dismissed misdemeanor can complicate your renewal. Speak with an immigration attorney before filing if anything has changed in your record.
- Filing with an expired EAD. If your EAD expires before USCIS receives your renewal, you may lose work authorization temporarily.
- International travel. Traveling outside the U.S. without an approved advance parole document is almost always a mistake for DACA recipients.
Advance Parole for DACA Recipients
Advance parole allows limited international travel for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes. It is filed on Form I-131. Approval is discretionary and not guaranteed. Returning on a valid advance parole document can, in some cases, cure prior unlawful entries and open doors to adjustment of status through a U.S. citizen spouse.
Talk to an Attorney Before You File
DACA policy has shifted repeatedly since 2012 and will likely continue to change. A brief consultation with a Portland or Seattle immigration attorney before filing can flag issues that are hard to fix after submission. If you have questions about your specific situation, schedule a consultation with our team.
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