Update: ICE-Granted DACA...APPROVED!

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give an update on my ICE-deferred DACA renewal (please see timeline below).*

After waiting close to four months and without my job during the last three weeks, I was finally approved for a renewal of my DACA and EAD card. Please understand that most employers will not continue your employment without an active EAD card (a renewal receipt will not suffice!), which was the reason for my employment termination.

Following my job termination, I was advised to seek the help of a local congressman/senator to file an inquire on my pending DACA renewal. A few days later, I was informed by the office that USCIS had already assigned an immigration officer to my case. A few days later after that, I was approved. I do not know if the congressman's inquiry helped expedite my case, but it was definitely helpful in learning more about my case status.

Things that work: Congressman's Inquiry, Service Request (call the 1-800 number), infopass
Things that do not work: Expedite request (after I faxed the request, I was told current guidelines do not allow for an "ER" on DACA cases).

One thing that I did not test was USCIS's 120 rule for EAD extensions on pending renewals (my approval fell a week short of the 120 days). From what I understand, you will have to make an infopass appointment at your local field office but I am a lot less knowledgeable on this.

Bottom line: file your renewal applications ahead of the four months. At best, you'll get your approval earlier. At worse, you'll get an EAD/DACA extension.

My hope is that USCIS get's their stuff together and process everyone's June's renewals in three months or less. But given that there are a lot more USCIS-granted DACA than ICE-granted DACA applicants (500,000 vs 250), it might be difficult for immigration to meet the demand of so many renewals.

I'll answer any questions I can. Good luck to everyone!


*TIMELINE:

April 1st, 2014: Forms accepted, routed to Nebraska Office
May 15th, 2014: Walk-in Biometrics in Riverside, CA
June 27th, 2014: Filed a Service Request and Expedite Request using the 1-800 number. Expedite Request was turned down, and told to wait on the Service Request via mail.
July 14th, 2014: Name change on DACA and EAD applications (system glitch?)
July 10th, 2014: Service Request letter received. "Officer has been assigned to case, please allow 30 days for decision"
July 15th, 2014: Contacted congressman's office for support, faxed all forms
July 18th, 2014: Congressman informs me that USCIS had already assigned an officer to my case
July 21st, 2014: Email notice of renewal approval!

Congrats, were you able to get your job back?

When does your original DACA expire?

Congrats on your renewal. As you mentioned, most of us here are USCIS-DACA applicants whereas you are a ICE-DACA. I believe there was someone else on this board who got approved last week who was on the same boat as you. It's troubling that you had to go through all of that to get your renewal. I'm worried now that mine won't be approved on time and that I'll lose my job. Really hoping they'll start renewing people in August.

Not yet. HR needs time to process all the paperwork to rehire me, but I'm still applying for other jobs in case they can't hire me anymore for whatever reason (eg insufficient funds). USCIS really screwed my employment by delaying my renewal.

Previous DACA expired at the end of June. I'm still waiting on the new DACA/EAD card to arrive to confirm it's valid for two years...

Yes, the user you are referring to contacted me to advice me on how to expedite my renewal. That person's renewal application was also delayed. I don't think immigration is giving DACA renewals priority, regardless if granted by uscis or ice.

When did you apply for renewal and when is your daca expiring?

I sincerely hope that the ICE-granted renewal cases are taking a long time because the applicants had to reapply as first-time DACA recipients.

The general renewal cases--ideally--shouldn't take that long to approve. We are providing much less information and supporting document for the case workers to sift through.

Really really hope it won't take anybody here longer than a month...

They received my paperwork on June 18th so it's been a little bit more than a month. My DACA expires Oct 14th. I still have a couple of months, but I was hoping people who have applied before I did would have heard something back.

I applied on June 10 and so far nothing, just did my bio on June 27 I belive but nothing new, I'm just waiting and my EAD expires on Sep 19