Gracie Johnson Law · Compton, CA
DACA Lawyer Serving Compton Dreamers
Protect your future. DACA renewals and Advance Parole guidance.
DACA Update, April 2026
USCIS is currently processing renewal applications for existing DACA recipients in California. New initial applications are accepted but not being processed due to ongoing federal court orders. If your DACA is expiring, file your renewal now, do not wait. Call (310) 554-4630 for guidance.
Reviewed by Gracie Johnson, Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of California, California State Bar #276536
The DACA program continues to protect hundreds of thousands of people across California from deportation and allows them to work legally in the United States. But the program remains in legal limbo, and the rules around renewals, travel, and alternatives are more complex than ever in 2026. Attorney Gracie Johnson helps DACA recipients in Compton and South LA navigate renewals, understand their risks, and explore whether a more permanent immigration pathway may be available to them.
From Attorney Gracie Johnson
I want every DACA recipient in South LA to hear this directly from me: do not wait until your DACA expires to renew it, and do not renew it without first talking to an attorney if anything has changed in your life. One arrest, one trip abroad, one missed address update, any of these can affect your renewal. I review every client's history before we file anything. And I always ask: is there a more permanent path available to you? In many cases, there is.
Common Questions
Current DACA Status in April 2026
As of April 2026, USCIS continues to accept and process DACA renewal applications for current recipients nationwide, including all California residents. New initial applications, for people who have never had DACA before, are being accepted by USCIS but are not being processed due to a court order. The program has been declared unlawful by federal courts, but a stay allows current recipients to continue renewing while litigation proceeds. The program's long-term future is uncertain. Every DACA recipient should use this time to explore whether any alternative pathway to a green card or legal status exists.
How to Renew Your DACA in 2026
USCIS recommends filing your DACA renewal 120 to 150 days before your current DACA and employment authorization document (EAD) expire. Do not wait until the last minute, processing times currently run 3 to 7 months.
What you need to file:
- •Form I-821D: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
- •Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization
- •Form I-765WS: Economic need worksheet (required)
- •Filing fee: $555 if filed online through myUSCIS / $605 if filed by paper mail
- •Supporting documents: current EAD, prior DACA approval notices, identity documents, two passport photos
Important: Always use the most current version of each form from USCIS.gov. Outdated forms are rejected without exception.
What If My DACA Already Expired?
If your DACA expired less than one year ago, you can still file a renewal and USCIS will process it. If your DACA expired more than one year ago, USCIS will accept the application as a "renewal as initial" request but will not process it under the current court order. In either case, call Gracie Johnson Law before filing, the stakes of any error are very high in the current enforcement environment.
Advance Parole, Travel With DACA
Advance Parole is permission granted by USCIS to travel outside the United States and return. DACA recipients can apply for Advance Parole, but traveling without it approved in hand first will result in permanent loss of DACA status and may trigger bars to reentry. Even with Advance Parole approved, international travel carries significant legal risk in 2026 that must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Do not book any international travel without first consulting with an immigration attorney.
Risks Before Filing Your Renewal
Before submitting your DACA renewal, Gracie Johnson reviews your full history for any factors that could jeopardize your application or trigger enforcement action. Common risk factors include:
- •Any arrests, citations, or contact with law enforcement since your last renewal, even minor traffic violations
- •Any travel outside the United States without Advance Parole
- •Changes in your address that were not reported to USCIS
- •Any open criminal cases or pending charges
Beyond DACA, Is There a Path to a Green Card?
DACA does not lead directly to a green card or citizenship. But depending on your situation, a permanent pathway may exist. Gracie Johnson evaluates every DACA client for potential alternative pathways including:
- •Marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- •VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) protection if you have experienced abuse
- •U Visa if you have been the victim of a qualifying crime and cooperated with law enforcement
- •Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) if applicable
- •Asylum if you face persecution in your home country
Do not assume DACA is your only option. A full case evaluation can identify pathways that are not obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Necesitas Renovar tu DACA en Compton? Llama Hoy.
Si tu DACA está por vencer o ya venció, no esperes. La abogada Gracie Johnson ayuda a residentes de Compton y el Sur de Los Ángeles con renovaciones de DACA, Advance Parole, y alternativas permanentes. Atendemos en español. Llama al (310) 554-4630 hoy mismo.
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Gracie Johnson Law serves DACA recipients throughout South Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
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