An EAD issued to a DACA beneficiary will bear category code C33. 2 Certain EADs, depending on the category code, may be extended while a renewal application is pending. 3 Under previous iterations of the program, DACA beneficiaries were not eligible for such extensions, and the new regulation does not change that.
On January 17, 2025, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the Southern District of Texas finding the program unlawful, but limited the decision to Texas and kept all DACA renewals — including for those who live in Texas — available for eligible recipients.
Individuals who demonstrate that they meet the guidelines below may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) for a period of 2 years, subject to renewal for a period of 2 years, and may be eligible for employment authorization.
What happened: On January 17th, 2025 the 5th Circuit Court once again ruled against DACA, but kept renewals open–for now. This ruling is part of ongoing, deliberate attacks to undermine immigrant communities, limit opportunities, and enable mass deportation.
U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen ruled in July 2021 in the Texas case that DACA was unlawful, halted it nationwide, and prohibited the government from approving any new DACA requests. Judge Hanen's ruling allowed those with DACA to retain and renew their protections, but no new requests could be processed.
Under this rule, an individual with a valid work authorization document, such as an immigrant with legal status under DACA, could be admitted to the Texas State Bar as a lawyer.
DACA recipients are eligible for most types of mortgages if they can prove they're lawful, non-permanent residents of the U.S. In other words, as a Dreamer, you're eligible for homeownership if you have the paperwork showing you can legally live and work in this country.
U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen ruled in July 2021 in the Texas case that DACA was unlawful, halted it nationwide, and prohibited the government from approving any new DACA requests. Judge Hanen's ruling allowed those with DACA to retain and renew their protections, but no new requests could be processed.
Having an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD) is one way to prove that you are authorized to work in the United States for a specific time period. To request an EAD, you generally must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Form I-766 processing time Form I-766 categoryAverage processing time Based on a pending asylum application (renewal/replacement) – (c)(8) All service centers – 16 months Based on a pending asylum application (initial application) – (c)(8) All service centers – 1 month14 more rows •