San Antonio DACA Lawyer
DACA Renewal, Work Permits & Dreamer Legal Services in Bexar County
Call (210) 320-5633 — Free ConsultationDACA Renewal & Protection for San Antonio Dreamers
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has provided protection from deportation and work authorization to hundreds of thousands of individuals who were brought to the United States as children. If you are a current DACA recipient in San Antonio, maintaining your status through timely renewals is essential to protecting your livelihood, your family, and your future.
At The Echavarria Law Firm, attorney Elizabeth Echavarria has helped DACA recipients across San Antonio and Bexar County navigate renewals, address criminal record concerns, explore pathways to permanent residence, and respond to the program's shifting legal landscape. With over 15 years of experience in immigration law, she provides the informed, strategic counsel Dreamers need in an uncertain environment.
DACA Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for DACA renewal, you must continue to meet the original eligibility criteria established in 2012. The core requirements are:
Arrival Before Age 16
You must have entered the United States before your 16th birthday. This requirement applies to your initial entry, not subsequent reentries.
Continuous Residence Since June 15, 2007
You must have continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to the present time. Brief, innocent, and casual absences do not necessarily break continuous residence.
Physical Presence on June 15, 2012
You must have been physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your initial DACA request.
No Lawful Immigration Status
On June 15, 2012, you had no lawful immigration status — meaning you entered without inspection, your visa had expired, or your prior immigration status had terminated.
Education Requirement
You must be currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard.
No Disqualifying Criminal Record
You must not have been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more non-significant misdemeanors. You must not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
DACA Renewal Process — Step by Step
Gather Required Documents
Collect your current DACA approval notice (I-797), current EAD card, valid ID (passport, state ID, or school ID), and any records of address changes, travel, arrests, or criminal dispositions since your last renewal.
Complete Form I-821D + I-765 + I-765WS
File the three required forms: I-821D (Consideration for DACA), I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and I-765WS (Worksheet). All three must be filed together as a package.
Pay the Filing Fee
The combined filing fee is $405 ($85 biometric services + $320 for I-821D and I-765). Payment by check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." No fee waiver is currently available for DACA renewals.
Mail Your Application
DACA renewals are filed by mail. Your attorney will send the completed package to the designated USCIS lockbox. You will receive a receipt notice (I-797C) confirming USCIS received your application.
Biometrics Appointment
USCIS will schedule you for a biometrics appointment at your local Application Support Center in San Antonio. You will provide fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature for background check purposes.
Receive Your New EAD
If approved, USCIS mails your new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a renewed DACA approval notice. Your new DACA period is valid for 2 years from the approval date. Processing currently takes 3 to 8 months.
DACA Renewal Costs in San Antonio (2026)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USCIS Filing Fee (I-821D + I-765) | $405 | Includes $85 biometrics + $320 form fees; no fee waiver available |
| Attorney Fees (Standard Renewal) | $500 – $1,500 | Application preparation, document review, filing |
| Attorney Fees (Complex — Criminal History) | $1,500 – $3,000 | Criminal record assessment, court disposition retrieval, risk analysis |
| Advance Parole (I-131) | $575 | For approved travel outside the U.S.; additional attorney fees apply |
| Replacement EAD (Lost/Stolen) | $405 | Same fee as renewal; required if card is damaged, lost, or stolen |
Criminal Record & DACA: What You Need to Know
Criminal history is the leading cause of DACA denials and the area where legal representation is most critical. Understanding exactly what disqualifies you — and what does not — can be the difference between maintaining your status and losing it.
| Conviction Type | Impact on DACA | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Automatic disqualification — DACA cannot be renewed | Explore post-conviction relief; consult criminal immigration attorney |
| Significant Misdemeanor | Automatic disqualification (DUI, domestic violence, drug offenses excluding marijuana possession ≤30g, burglary, unlawful firearms possession, sexual abuse, any offense with 90+ days jail time) | Evaluate if conviction can be vacated or reduced; attorney review essential |
| 3+ Non-Significant Misdemeanors | Disqualifying unless related to immigration status (e.g., driving without license in some states) | Document each conviction; determine if any qualify for the immigration status exception |
| 1-2 Non-Significant Misdemeanors | Generally does NOT disqualify, but must be disclosed and explained | Include certified court dispositions with your renewal application |
| Arrests Without Conviction | Does not disqualify, but must be disclosed; may trigger additional scrutiny | Include arrest records and proof of case dismissal or non-filing |
| Traffic Tickets (Non-Criminal) | Minor traffic infractions generally do not affect DACA | No action needed unless they escalated to criminal charges |
DACA Legal Timeline — Key Milestones
DACA Program Created
President Obama announces DACA via executive memorandum, directing DHS to exercise prosecutorial discretion for eligible childhood arrivals.
DACA Rescission Announced
Attorney General Sessions announces DACA will be wound down. Federal courts issue injunctions keeping the program alive for renewals.
Supreme Court Blocks Rescission
In DHS v. Regents of the University of California, the Supreme Court rules 5-4 that the rescission was arbitrary and capricious, restoring DACA.
Texas v. United States — DACA Ruled Unlawful
Judge Hanen in the Southern District of Texas rules DACA unlawful, blocking new initial applications while allowing current recipients to continue renewing.
Final Rule Published
DHS issues a final rule codifying DACA as a federal regulation. Legal challenges continue in the Fifth Circuit.
Ongoing Litigation & Renewals Continue
DACA remains in legal limbo. Renewals continue to be processed. No new initial applications accepted. Congressional legislation for permanent protection has not passed.
Pathways from DACA to a Green Card
While DACA does not directly provide a path to permanent residence, several pathways may be available depending on your individual circumstances:
Marriage to a U.S. Citizen
If you entered the U.S. with inspection (at a port of entry with a visa or border crossing card), you may be able to adjust status to permanent residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen without leaving the country. If you entered without inspection, consular processing with an I-601A unlawful presence waiver may be required — a complex but potentially viable pathway. Advance parole under DACA may also create a lawful admission that facilitates adjustment.
Employer Sponsorship
Some DACA recipients may qualify for employment-based green cards through their employers, particularly in STEM fields, healthcare, and other high-demand occupations. This typically requires PERM labor certification and an approved I-140 petition. The process is lengthy but can provide a permanent solution independent of DACA's legal status.
Frequently Asked Questions — DACA Renewal
Related Immigration Resources
Protect Your DACA Status Today
Don't risk gaps in your work authorization or unexpected denials. Attorney Elizabeth Echavarria has helped hundreds of San Antonio Dreamers maintain their DACA status through timely, accurate renewals.
Call (210) 320-5633 — Free Consultation