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DACA and citizenship

On Behalf of | Apr 3, 2023 | Immigration

If you have called the United States home for most of your life, and are a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient (a so-called Dreamer), you may wonder about citizenship.

Are DACA recipients given citizenship automatically? Do DACA recipients have a pathway to citizenship?

Automatic citizenship?

Unfortunately, the DACA program only grants Dreamers a stay on removal or deportation. The deferred action in the program is removal, and only until the terms originally set forth when you received approval.

No citizenship pathway is guaranteed or provided through the DACA program. The U.S. Congress would have to pass a bill to create a pathway, and that has not occurred as of the present.

Do I have any pathway to citizenship?

If you are currently a DACA recipient, you may wonder about how to get a more permanent pathway to residency or citizenship. You may be able to pursue a Green Card, depending on your individual circumstances, like age, and whether you lawfully entered the United States.

What if I need help?

If you are dealing with any phase of the immigration process, the amount of paperwork and proceedings can seem overwhelming. If you need assistance with a DACA renewal or discussing a more permanent pathway to citizenship, an attorney can be an invaluable asset to discuss your specific options.

Because individuals all have different circumstances leading to their arrival, current DACA status or even relationship status, all of these variables and more may give you different options when you call California home.