When Should the DACA Recipients Renew their Employment Authorization Documents?

The purpose of the deferred action program that was implemented by President Obama, is to confer lawful status upon the undocumented youth who entered into America as children and who are currently in schools or who served in the US military. Such young undocumented immigrants, who receive deferred action status will be allowed to study, work or continue their military service in America. At the same time, undocumented immigrants who are eligible for deferred action status also must remember that they will not become eligible to apply for US Green Cards or for US citizenship and they may not be granted lawful status in the country. Undocumented immigrants who are eligible for deferred action, will only become eligible for employment authorization documents and some American states also issue driver’s licenses to the people who receive deferred action status.

Employment authorization documents and the deferred action status granted to undocumented immigrants, are valid for two years and at the end of the two year period, they will have to apply for renewal. Undocumented immigrants whose deportations are deferred, will not be deported for 2 years and they can live and work anywhere in America and their presence will not be considered unlawful. At the end of the two year period, they can file applications to renew and extend deferred action for two more years. While filing applications to renew deferred action, they can also file applications to renew their employment authorization documents. Similarly, applicants must meet the age requirements to renew deferred action and they can apply for renewal even after they turn 31. Such undocumented immigrants will be permitted to renew their work permits, if they are eligible to renew deferred action. They need to remember that they cannot renew their employment authorization documents, if they are ineligible to file applications to renew deferred action.