DACA Renewal Attorney in Tampa, Florida

If you have DACA, keeping it current is one of the most important things you can do to protect your ability to live and work in the United States. DACA does not renew itself, processing times are not guaranteed, and the legal landscape surrounding the program continues to shift. Filing on time with a complete, accurate application is not something to leave to chance.

Mora Immigration Group helps DACA recipients in Tampa, throughout Florida, and nationwide prepare and file their DACA renewal applications and navigate the questions that come with them.

What Is DACA?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal policy that provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to certain individuals who were brought to the United States as children. DACA does not provide a path to permanent residence or citizenship on its own, but for hundreds of thousands of people it is the legal foundation that allows them to work, drive, study, and build a life here while longer-term options are explored.

A DACA grant is valid for two years and must be renewed before it expires. If your DACA lapses, you lose both your deportation protection and your work authorization until a renewal is approved.

Current Status of the DACA Program (2026)

DACA has been the subject of ongoing federal litigation for several years. As of 2026, here is where things stand:

Renewals are available and being processed. If you currently have DACA or have had it in the past and your status expired less than one year ago, you can and should file a renewal. USCIS is actively processing renewal applications.

Initial applications are not being processed. USCIS continues to accept first-time DACA applications but is not adjudicating or approving them due to a federal court injunction that has been in place since July 2021. If you have never had DACA before, filing an initial application will not result in an approval under current court orders.

The program's future remains uncertain. Federal courts continue to litigate the legality of DACA, and the program's long-term status depends on rulings that have not yet been finalized. If you have DACA, protecting what you have by renewing on time is the single most important step you can take right now.

When to File Your DACA Renewal

USCIS recommends filing your renewal application 120 to 150 days before your current DACA and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expire. That is roughly four to five months in advance. Filing early protects against processing delays and ensures you do not experience a gap in your work authorization.

If your DACA expired less than one year ago, you may still be able to file a renewal rather than an initial application. Contact the firm to review your specific situation, as the rules around recently lapsed DACA status are nuanced and the distinction matters significantly.

What the DACA Renewal Process Involves

A DACA renewal requires filing two forms together as a package:

  • Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

  • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

  • Form I-765WS, the accompanying economic worksheet

As of 2026, the filing fee is $555 if filed online or $605 if filed by mail. There are no fee waivers available for DACA filings.

After USCIS receives your application, you will receive a receipt notice and be scheduled for a biometrics appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center for fingerprinting and identity verification. Tampa-area applicants attend biometrics at the Tampa ASC. Once biometrics are complete, USCIS will process your application and mail your new EAD when approved.

We review your application for accuracy and completeness before anything is submitted, prepare you for the biometrics appointment, and monitor your case status after filing.

Criminal History and DACA

If you have any arrests, charges, or convictions since your last DACA approval, you should speak with an immigration attorney before filing your renewal. Certain criminal history can affect DACA eligibility and in some cases can create serious immigration consequences beyond DACA itself. Do not assume that a minor charge or a dismissed case is irrelevant. Let an attorney review your situation before you file.

Exploring Long-Term Options

DACA is temporary and has never been a permanent solution. If you have DACA, now is a good time to explore whether you may qualify for a more stable immigration status through another pathway, such as marriage to a U.S. citizen, a family-based petition, employment sponsorship, or other forms of relief. Not every DACA recipient has an alternative path, but some do, and identifying one early can make a significant difference.

We discuss long-term options as part of every DACA consultation so you have a clear picture of where you stand and what, if anything, is available to you beyond renewal.

What We Help With

  • DACA renewal application preparation and filing

  • Review of criminal or immigration history before filing

  • Biometrics appointment preparation

  • Responding to USCIS requests after filing

  • Case status monitoring

  • Consultation on long-term immigration options for DACA recipients

  • Advance parole applications for DACA recipients who may qualify

Do Not Wait on Your Renewal

A lapsed DACA means lost work authorization and lost deportation protection. Processing times are not guaranteed, and USCIS does not extend grace periods for late filers. If your DACA expires in the next six months, now is the time to act.

Schedule your free 30-minute phone consultation at immigrationtampa.com/book, call (813) 815-VISA, or email miguel@mig.law. Hablamos español.