Background
Former President Barack Obama created in 2012 the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to protect nearly 800,000 undocumented young people from deportation.
The beneficiaries of this program, known as “Dreamers,” are protected from deportation, but they are not granted legal status.
This means that DACA recipients are not able to change status because they have no legal status to begin with. While the future of DACA remains uncertain, Dreamers may be wondering how they might acquire legal immigration status in the United States.
Can DACA recipients apply for a green card through employer sponsorship?
Yes, and a lot of people don’t realize this. DACA recipients are eligible for employer-sponsored green card. This type of application is usually geared towards highly skilled or specialized individuals, but there are a variety of work-based green cards available depending on the skill level of the applicant. The key factor that most immigration lawyers would begin to evaluate is the petitioners history as a DACA recipient taking a close look at specific dates:
- When were you initially granted DACA
- How old were you?
- Making sure you never allowed your DACA to expire, or if you did, then have the dates of when it expired and when it was renewed in chronological order.
All this information is vital since it will help your attorney determine if you accrued “Unlawful Presence”, a key factor for your employer in order to be able to proceed with sponsoring and petitioning you.
Attorney Eric Price is highly experienced in Immigration Law and can help you navigate the specifics of your case. Contact us today for a free consultation 1.855.662.2772
With employment-based Visas, USCIC determines the category with the following breakdown
EB-1 – Priority Workers
People with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; Outstanding professors and researchers; Multinational executives and managers.
EB-2 – Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Persons with Exceptional Ability
People who, because of their exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, will substantially benefit the national economy, cultural, or educational interests or welfare of the United States;
People who are members of professions holding advanced degrees or the equivalent.
EB-3 – Professional or Skilled Workers
People capable of performing skilled labor (requiring at least 2 years of training or experience) for which qualified workers are not available in the United States; •
People capable of performing unskilled labor for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.
EB-4 – Special Immigrants
Religious workers; Panama Canal Company Employees, Canal Zone Government Employees, or U.S. Government in Canal Zone Employees; Certain physicians, etc.
How to begin?
You can start by having an initial conversation with your employer in order to determine if they would be able and willing to petition and sponsor you in obtaining your permanent resident status. They would likely wish to evaluate your ongoing history as an employee and the potential benefits of the request. Things like a highly specialized job or being an extremely vital employee are likely to help you with this conversation.
Afterwards, the employer would likely wish to reach out and hire experienced attorney or immigration law firm that could handle the petition process. This is where we can help. Attorney Eric Price is frequently ranked in the top Immigration Lawyers across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, among other locations.
Contact Attorney Eric Price Today!
Applying for a green card as a DACA recipient can be complicated, but working with a good immigration attorney can make it easier. attorney Eric Price can help. He has spent years addressing immigrants’ concerns and has dedicated a long, successful career to the needs of those looking to remain in the United States. Call 1-855-662-2772 or email info@abogadoericprice.com today to schedule a free case evaluation.
