Gracie Johnson Law · Compton, CA

DACA Renewal Attorney in Long Beach, CA

Bilingual immigration attorney serving Long Beach and South Los Angeles. Office at 308 N Wilmington Ave, Compton. Call for an initial consultation.

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CA Bar #276536 VerifiedCertified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of CaliforniaLicensed CA attorney, not a notario

Attorney Gracie Johnson, immigration attorney, Compton CA

Atty. Gracie Johnson

Serving LA County, USCIS and Immigration Court

Family, DACA, Deportation, Asylum, Citizenship

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Quick Answer

A DACA attorney in Long Beach helps Dreamers file timely renewals to keep their work permits and protection from deportation. Gracie Johnson Law has handled DACA cases throughout South LA since the program was established. Renewals can typically be filed up to 150 days before expiration. Call (310) 554-4630 to schedule a renewal consultation.

Key Facts

Renewals can be filed up to 150 days before your current grant expires.
DACA grants come with a 2-year work authorization (EAD).
Initial DACA applications remain blocked by federal court litigation; only renewals are currently being processed.
Travel on Advance Parole is available for narrow educational, employment, or humanitarian reasons.
Long Beach Dreamers should plan their renewal filing window with an attorney to avoid lapses.

For DACA recipients living and working in Long Beach, a timely renewal is essential to keeping your work permit and your ability to remain in the United States without fear of deportation. Attorney Gracie Johnson has handled DACA cases throughout the South LA region since the program was established in 2012, and she understands the deadlines and documentation requirements that make or break these filings.

About Our Long Beach Service Area

Drive to Our Office

20 minutes · 9 miles

Population

456,000+

Hispanic / Latino

44%

Spanish-Speaking Households

35%

Long Beach is the seventh largest city in California with one of the most diverse immigrant populations on the West Coast. Our Compton office serves Long Beach families with the full range of immigration services, including the unique humanitarian and asylum needs of the Cambodian community.

Top neighborhoods we serve: Downtown Long Beach, North Long Beach, Cambodia Town, Wrigley, Belmont Shore.

Questions? Call our office directly.

Bilingual service in English and Spanish.

DACA has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people across the US. In South Los Angeles and Compton, Dreamers are nurses, business owners, teachers, parents, and first responders. Protecting their status is something we take seriously at Gracie Johnson Law.

The legal status of DACA keeps changing in federal courts. What was true six months ago may not be true today. We track every court ruling and USCIS update so we can give you accurate advice specific to your situation, not generic information you can find on Google.

Our DACA services cover timely renewal filings (Form I-821D and I-765), ensuring your application is submitted well before your current DACA expires, typically between 120 and 150 days in advance. A lapse in your DACA protection can result in loss of your work authorization, Social Security number access, and driver's license. We take the stress out of the renewal process so you can focus on your life and career.

We also help DACA recipients with Advance Parole applications (Form I-131). If you need to travel internationally for educational, employment, or urgent humanitarian reasons, such as a family emergency abroad, Advance Parole may allow you to leave and lawfully re-enter the United States. Importantly, a DACA recipient who travels with Advance Parole and returns lawfully may unlock a pathway to permanent residency (a green card) if they have a qualifying family relationship, such as marriage to a US citizen.

Beyond renewals and travel, we counsel DACA holders on their broader immigration options, including exploring eligibility for family-based or employment-based green cards. Every Dreamer's situation is unique, and a consultation with our office can help clarify the options available to you right now. Do not wait, the sooner you act, the more options you have.

Our firm is deeply rooted in the South LA community. We know that many Dreamers in Compton, Lynwood, South Gate, and the surrounding areas are pillars of their neighborhoods, coaches, first responders, small business owners, educators. We fight every day to protect their right to remain and thrive in the only home they have ever known. Reach out to us for a confidential consultation. We are here for you, every step of the way.

How a DACA Renewal Attorney Case Works for Long Beach Residents

DACA renewals typically take 3 to 6 months from filing to approval. We recommend filing 120 to 150 days before your current DACA expires.

1
Eligibility Review and Document Audit
We confirm your continued eligibility, review your prior DACA approvals, and audit your records for any updates that need to be reported (such as a new address or new criminal contact).
2
Application Preparation
We prepare Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action), Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and Form I-765 Worksheet, complete with current evidence and accurate biographic information.
3
Filing and Biometrics
We submit your renewal package to USCIS with the correct fees and track every USCIS notice on your behalf. You will be scheduled for biometrics at the LA Application Support Center.
4
Approval and EAD Card Issuance
Once approved, USCIS mails your renewed I-797 approval notice and your new Employment Authorization Document. You can then renew your driver's license and continue working without interruption.

Documents You'll Typically Need

Most recent DACA approval notice (Form I-797)
Current Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Government-issued identity document (passport, foreign ID, or birth certificate)
Two passport-style color photos
Updated address and any name change documentation
Disposition records for any new criminal contacts since last renewal

This is a general checklist. Every case is different and we will tell you exactly what is needed for yours during your initial consultation.

Where Long Beach Cases Are Heard

USCIS Los Angeles Field Office

300 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Naturalization interviews, adjustment of status interviews, and biometrics for residents of South LA are typically scheduled at the USCIS Los Angeles Field Office in downtown Los Angeles.

How We Handle These Cases

These are typical scenarios that illustrate our approach. They do not describe specific clients or promise any outcome.

Reviewed July 2026

What if my DACA is about to expire and I am afraid of losing my job?

We file the renewal in the window USCIS recommends, 120 to 150 days before expiration, with a complete package the first time so nothing bounces back. When the timeline is already tight, we document the employment situation, evaluate whether a request to expedite is supported, and prepare the client for what to expect while the case is pending.

Can I travel abroad with DACA for a family emergency?

We evaluate an Advance Parole request honestly before anything is filed: whether the trip qualifies, what the person's full history means for reentry, and what could change while they are outside the country. Travel on Advance Parole can also affect future options, so we look at the whole case, not just the trip, before recommending a path.

Read our in-depth guide →

DACA Renewal Attorney FAQ for Long Beach Residents

Common questions we hear from our clients in this area.

Each DACA grant has its own approval date and expiration date. Your most recent DACA grant is the one that governs your current employment authorization. When calculating renewal timing, count from the expiration date of your most recent EAD, USCIS recommends filing 150 to 120 days before that date. The fact that you have had DACA before generally strengthens your renewal application because you have demonstrated prior compliance with the program. Attorney Gracie Johnson reviews renewal timelines for Long Beach clients to make sure filings happen at the right time. Call (310) 554-4630.

USCIS has authorized automatic EAD extensions for DACA holders who filed a timely renewal application, meaning before your previous EAD expired. If you filed before your EAD expired, USCIS issued a policy allowing you to present your expired EAD together with your I-797C receipt notice as evidence of your continued work authorization. You should not have to stop working. If your employer is unsure, Attorney Gracie Johnson can provide guidance on the employer notice requirements and help resolve the situation. Call (310) 554-4630.

Initial DACA applications have been subject to ongoing litigation, and courts have issued injunctions affecting the program's expansion. As of recent court decisions, USCIS has not been accepting new initial DACA applications for individuals who have never received DACA before, though renewals for existing holders continue. Attorney Gracie Johnson stays current on all DACA litigation affecting first-time applicants and will advise your family on the current status of the program and any available alternatives. Call (310) 554-4630 for an up-to-date assessment.

Yes. California's AB 540 law allows undocumented students, including DACA holders, who attended California high school for at least three years and graduated (or obtained a GED) to pay in-state tuition at California public colleges and universities. Additionally, California's AB 19 and other state aid programs allow eligible AB 540 students, including DACA holders, to access state financial aid such as Cal Grants and the Middle Class Scholarship. Attorney Gracie Johnson can advise Long Beach DACA holders on their educational rights and how DACA status interacts with state financial aid.

Due to ongoing federal court orders, the status of first-time DACA applications changes frequently. We monitor this situation daily and can advise you on the current status and your specific eligibility.

USCIS recommends submitting your renewal application between 120 and 150 days before your current DACA expires. Renewing early protects you from a gap in your work authorization. We track your expiration date and will remind you when it's time to act.

DACA itself does not directly lead to a green card. However, if you travel on Advance Parole and re-enter lawfully, and you have a qualifying family relationship (e.g., married to a US citizen), you may become eligible to adjust your status to permanent resident.

A criminal record can affect your DACA status. USCIS reviews arrests and convictions during the renewal process. Certain offenses are disqualifying. If you have been arrested or charged, consult with us before filing anything.