This page is general information, not legal advice. DACA is being decided in the courts, and the rules can change quickly. Before filing, check the USCIS DACA page yourself. For your own case, use a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative, not a notario.
Where DACA stands (checked September 23, 2026): USCIS says it will continue to accept and process DACA renewal requests and the work permit applications that go with them. First-time (initial) requests are accepted but not processed. Current DACA and work permits remain valid until they expire, unless individually terminated. USCIS last updated its DACA page on January 24, 2025, after a January 17, 2025 Fifth Circuit decision. A June 2026 proposed rule on work permits would, if finalized, apply its criminal-history and biometrics changes to DACA work permits. No final rule had been published as of this check.
This page covers the renewal itself, the part most guides skip (your Guatemalan identity documents), and travel to Guatemala without advance parole, which USCIS warns can leave you unable to reenter.
Renewal vs. initial: which one you are filing
The difference matters because renewals are being processed and initial requests are not.
| Your situation | How USCIS classifies it | What happens now |
|---|---|---|
| You have current DACA | Renewal | Accepted and processed |
| You request renewal within one year of your DACA expiring | Renewal | Accepted and processed |
| You did not request renewal within one year of your DACA expiring | Initial | Accepted, not processed |
| Your DACA was terminated | Initial | Accepted, not processed |
| You never had DACA | Initial | Accepted, not processed |
These categories come from the USCIS DACA litigation FAQ. A renewal includes “A request filed by an individual within one year of the expiration of their prior DACA grant.” An initial request includes “A request filed by an individual who was previously granted DACA but did not request renewal within one year of the expiration”. USCIS adds that it “will not issue refunds for initial DACA requests that remain on hold while the court order is in effect.”
If more than one year passes after expiration without a renewal request, USCIS classifies the request as initial, and initial requests are currently accepted but not processed.
What the renewal costs (USCIS fee schedule, edition 09/09/26)
| Form | Paper | Online |
|---|---|---|
| I-821D, Consideration of DACA | $85 | $85 |
| I-765, work permit, category (c)(33) | $520 | $470 |
| Total renewal | $605 | $555 |
| I-131 advance parole (only if you plan to travel) | $630 | $580 |
USCIS is blunt about waivers: “Note: There are no fee waivers available for DACA requests and employment authorization applications connected to DACA.” It lists very limited fee exemptions; a fee exemption request must be filed and approved by USCIS before you file your DACA request without a fee.
When to file
USCIS says: “we strongly encourage DACA recipients to submit your DACA renewal request to us between 120 and 150 days (4 to 5 months) before the expiration date located on your current Form I-797 DACA approval notice”. It also warns: “Please note that filing earlier than 150 days before your current DACA expiration date will not result in a faster decision.”
On timing, USCIS states: “We continue to adjudicate the majority of DACA renewal requests within 120 days”. If your renewal has been pending more than 105 days, the litigation FAQ says you can submit an inquiry online.
The packet: rejection at intake vs. denial later
Rejected at intake (the packet is returned, not decided). USCIS states: “We will reject your request if you fail to submit Forms I-821D, I-765, I-765WS, and the correct fees.”
- All three forms. I-821D, I-765 and the I-765WS worksheet go together.
- Current editions only. USCIS rejects older versions of Form I-821D.
Other filing care. USCIS says: “Write your name, date of birth, and mailing address exactly the same way on each form.” This matters for Guatemalans with two surnames: use the same order and spelling on every form.
Denied after filing (a decision on an accepted request).
- Biometrics. “If you fail to attend your ASC appointment, we may deny your DACA request.”
- No appeal. “If USCIS denies your request for DACA, you cannot file an administrative appeal or a motion to reopen or reconsider.”
The Guatemalan-document side
For identity, USCIS lists “Passport or national identity document from your country of origin” among acceptable evidence. For you, that means a Guatemalan passport or DPI. If either has expired, renew it through a consulate before you need it:
- Renew your Guatemalan passport from the USA
- Renew your DPI from the USA
- Find your nearest Guatemalan consulate
If you need a Guatemalan birth certificate for any part of your file, see getting a Guatemalan birth certificate and apostille from the USA. For documents not in English, check the form instructions on translation requirements before you file.
Travel to Guatemala without advance parole: what USCIS warns
When a parent is ill or there is a funeral back home, travel is the first thing many DACA recipients think about. What USCIS says:
- Advance parole is requested on Form I-131 by DACA recipients with an approved Form I-821D, and USCIS strongly encourages obtaining the advance parole document before you depart.
- USCIS warns: “DACA recipients who depart the United States without first obtaining an advance parole document run a significant risk of being unable to reenter the United States”.
- And: “If you travel outside the United States without first receiving advance parole and then enter the United States without inspection, USCIS may terminate your DACA after issuing a Notice of Intent to Terminate with an opportunity to respond.”
Talk to an attorney before booking any trip. If a family emergency is the reason, the USCIS DACA litigation FAQ says current DACA recipients in an extremely urgent situation may request an emergency advance parole appointment at their local field office through the USCIS Contact Center, and the I-131 page has sections on expedite requests and emergency travel.
What DACA is and is not
USCIS states: “Deferred action does not provide lawful status.” USCIS describes deferred action as a decision to defer removal action for a set period, and DACA recipients can request a work permit. It is not permanent residency. For a separate program people often confuse with DACA, see TPS and Guatemalans.
Avoid notarios
USCIS warns: “Dishonest practitioners may promise to provide you with faster services if you pay them a fee.” Use a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative, and download forms only from uscis.gov, where they are free.
Official sources (checked September 23, 2026)
- USCIS — Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (page last updated January 24, 2025)
- USCIS — DACA Litigation Information and Frequently Asked Questions
- USCIS — Fee Schedule, Form G-1055 (edition 09/09/26)
- Federal Register — Clarification of Discretionary Employment Authorization for Certain Aliens (proposed rule, June 5, 2026; comments closed August 4, 2026)
More for Guatemalans in the United States: diaspora services hub · grant a consular power of attorney · US immigrant visa pause and Guatemalans
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USCIS still accepting DACA renewals in 2026?
Yes. The USCIS DACA page says that, following the court’s order, it will continue to accept and process DACA renewal requests and the work permit applications that go with them. First-time requests are accepted but not processed. Current DACA grants and work permits stay valid until they expire unless individually terminated. Checked September 23, 2026; USCIS last updated that page January 24, 2025, and courts can change this. General information, not legal advice.
How much does a DACA renewal cost?
Under the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, edition 09/09/26), Form I-821D is $85 and the Form I-765 work permit under category (c)(33) is $520 on paper or $470 online. That totals $605 on paper or $555 online. USCIS says there are no fee waivers for DACA requests and the work permits connected to them. It lists very limited fee exemptions, and a fee exemption request must be filed and approved before you file your DACA request without a fee.
When should I file my DACA renewal?
USCIS strongly encourages filing between 120 and 150 days (4 to 5 months) before the expiration date on your current I-797 DACA approval notice. It says filing earlier than 150 days before expiration will not produce a faster decision.
My DACA expired. Can I still renew?
USCIS counts a request filed within one year of your prior DACA grant’s expiration as a renewal. If you did not request renewal within one year of expiration, USCIS treats the request as an initial one, and initial requests are currently accepted but not processed.
Can I travel to Guatemala with DACA?
USCIS strongly encourages getting an advance parole document before you leave. It warns that DACA recipients who depart without first obtaining advance parole run a significant risk of being unable to reenter the United States, and that USCIS may terminate DACA if you travel without advance parole and then enter without inspection. Advance parole is requested on Form I-131; the fee schedule lists it for approved DACA recipients at $630 paper or $580 online.
Can I use my Guatemalan passport or consular ID as identity proof?
USCIS lists a passport or national identity document from your country of origin as acceptable proof of identity. For a Guatemalan, that is a Guatemalan passport or DPI. If yours has expired, you can renew both through a Guatemalan consulate in the US.
