Metro Atlanta Dreamers (DACA) Attorneys Serving Clients Nationwide
Helping Dreamers Protect the Life They Have Built
For many Dreamers, the United States is the place they have called home for most of their lives. They have grown up here, attended school, built careers, formed families, and contributed to their communities. Yet uncertainty surrounding immigration status can make planning for the future difficult. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has provided certain individuals who came to the United States as children with temporary protection from removal and the ability to request employment authorization.
At Bair Wilson Sharma LLC, our immigration attorneys help Dreamers and current DACA recipients understand their rights, evaluate their immigration options, and navigate a legal landscape that continues to change.
DACA was established in 2012 and provides deferred action to certain qualifying individuals who arrived in the United States as children. DACA itself does not provide lawful immigration status, permanent residence, or citizenship. Instead, it is an exercise of deferred action that can provide temporary protection from removal and, when applicable requirements are satisfied, employment authorization.
The legal status of the DACA program has been the subject of extensive litigation. Courts have restricted portions of the program, making it especially important for Dreamers to obtain current information before submitting an application or making decisions based on DACA eligibility. In January 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit largely affirmed a ruling against the DACA rule while modifying the scope of the remedy.
Because DACA policy can change as litigation continues, our attorneys evaluate each client's circumstances based on the rules and procedures in effect at the time assistance is sought.
Call Bair Wilson Sharma LLC at 678-250-6095 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.
DACA Renewals and Maintaining Your Protection
For individuals who already have DACA, maintaining protection and employment authorization can be extremely important. A lapse may affect a person's ability to work and can create additional uncertainty regarding their immigration situation.
DACA recipients generally use Form I-821D to request consideration of deferred action and Form I-765 to request employment authorization. USCIS continues to maintain processing procedures for DACA renewal applicants and directs renewal applicants with cases pending longer than 105 days to contact the agency regarding processing.
Renewal applications should be prepared carefully. Changes since a previous DACA request—including arrests, criminal charges, convictions, travel, encounters with immigration authorities, or other changes in immigration history—may affect how an individual should proceed.
Our lawyers can review a client's history before filing, assist with preparing the appropriate forms and supporting documentation, and help address issues that could affect a renewal request.
Individuals who have never received DACA face a different situation. Due to ongoing federal litigation, the rules governing initial DACA requests have been restricted and remain subject to court action. The Fifth Circuit's 2025 decision addressed the continuing litigation and limitations surrounding the program. Because the situation can change, prospective first-time applicants should confirm the current rules before relying on DACA as an available option.
Our attorneys can also look beyond DACA. Some Dreamers may have another potential immigration pathway based on family relationships, employment, humanitarian protection, victim-based immigration benefits, or other circumstances. A comprehensive immigration review can help identify possibilities that may not have been considered previously.
Looking Beyond DACA Toward Your Future
DACA has allowed many Dreamers to work, attend school, support their families, and build their lives with greater stability. However, because DACA is temporary and does not itself create a direct pathway to a green card or citizenship, long-term immigration planning can be particularly valuable.
At Bair Wilson Sharma LLC, our attorneys take the time to understand each client's complete immigration history rather than viewing DACA in isolation. We can evaluate family relationships, manner of entry into the United States, employment opportunities, prior immigration filings, victim-based protections, and other circumstances that may affect potential eligibility for additional immigration benefits.
For example, some individuals may eventually have immigration options through marriage or another qualifying family relationship. Others may qualify for employment-based immigration or humanitarian relief. Individuals who have been victims of certain crimes may potentially qualify for U nonimmigrant status, while those who fear persecution in another country may have humanitarian options depending on their circumstances.
Travel outside the United States is another issue that requires careful consideration. DACA recipients should not assume that DACA alone permits international travel or guarantees reentry. Any available travel authorization process has separate requirements, and leaving the United States can carry significant immigration consequences depending on a person's history. Legal guidance should be obtained before making international travel plans.
Our attorneys provide hands-on representation and clear communication so clients understand both their immediate DACA concerns and potential long-term immigration options. We also provide multilingual legal services in English, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, and Russian, making immigration guidance more accessible to the diverse communities we serve.
We proudly assist Dreamers and their families throughout the Metro Atlanta Area. Whether you need assistance with a DACA renewal, have questions about how recent legal developments affect you, or want to explore whether another immigration pathway may be available, our attorneys can review your circumstances and help you make informed decisions about your future.
Dreamers (DACA) FAQs
What is DACA?
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that provides certain eligible individuals who came to the United States as children with temporary protection from removal and the ability to request employment authorization.
Does DACA give me legal immigration status?
No. DACA does not provide lawful immigration status, permanent residence, or citizenship. It provides deferred action from removal for a limited period and may allow qualifying recipients to obtain employment authorization.
Can I renew my DACA?
Current DACA recipients may generally continue to submit renewal requests under existing procedures, although DACA remains subject to ongoing litigation and policy changes. Applicants should verify current requirements before filing.
When should I submit my DACA renewal?
USCIS generally recommends filing a renewal request within the appropriate window before your current DACA and employment authorization expire. Filing too late can increase the risk of a gap in protection or work authorization.
Can I apply for DACA for the first time?
USCIS may accept initial DACA requests, but because of ongoing federal litigation, it is currently restricted from granting initial requests. The legal landscape surrounding DACA can change, so prospective applicants should obtain current guidance before proceeding.
Can DACA lead directly to a green card?
DACA itself does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residence. However, some DACA recipients may independently qualify for a green card or another immigration benefit through family, employment, humanitarian relief, or another legal pathway.
Can I travel outside the United States if I have DACA?
DACA recipients should not leave the United States without first determining whether they have appropriate travel authorization and understanding the potential immigration consequences. DACA alone does not guarantee the ability to leave and return to the country.
What happens if I am arrested while I have DACA?
An arrest, criminal charge, or conviction can potentially affect DACA eligibility or renewal. Because immigration consequences vary significantly depending on the circumstances, it is important to have the situation reviewed before submitting a renewal request.
Have Questions About Your Immigration Options?
Immigration matters can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Contact Bair Wilson Sharma LLC for clear guidance and personalized representation. Our multilingual attorneys serve clients in English, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Call 678-250-6095 today to speak with one of our immigration attorneys.