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Immigration Resources

Important Update for Scholars & Alumni Traveling on Advanced Parole

August 2026

On August 13, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a decision that may significantly affect certain immigrants who travel outside the United States using Advance Parole, including those with DACA status.  Under the new decision, traveling on Advance Parole may create serious immigration consequences for individuals who have accumulated significant unlawful presence, including potentially triggering a 3 or 10-year bar to returning to the United States. This is an important change from previous guidance. 

See HERE for key information from TheDream.US on what Scholars need to know:  https://www.thedream.us/news/important-update-for-students-traveling-on-advance-parole/

The Dream Act 2-Page Handout

July 2026

The following designed handout describes the Dream Act of 2025 and highlights reasons why TheDream.US is a strong supporter of this important legislation.

Read the 2-page handout (pdf) here or download here.

DACA Renewal Advisory

June 2026

DACA renewals are taking longer than usual for USCIS to process, and in some cases we are seeing significant delays.

To help Dreamers navigate these delays, we created a guide with practical steps you can take if your renewal is pending or delayed. The guide also includes tips to help ensure your renewal is filed on time and information on grants in case you need financial assistance. 

Read the guide here

DACA Renewal Assistance

  • How to Renew Your DACA – This is a comprehensive guide on how to complete and submit your DACA renewal online or via mail, and funding resources to help with the fee.
  • When to Renew Your DACA: Recommendation by USCIS: Apply 120 to 150 days before DACA and EAD expire USCIS recommends that you submit your DACA renewal application 120 to 150 days before the date your current DACA and EAD expire. Use this DACA renewal calculator from NILC to determine the beginning and end dates of your particular “application window.”
  • DACA Renewal Grants – It is imperative that you renew your DACA on time. USCIS requests​ that you submit your DACA renewal 150 days before it expires. A year lapse of your DACA (meaning your DACA has expired for a year or more) will deem your request an initial request. USCIS is not permitted to approve initial DACA requests or accompanying applications for employment authorization at this time.

    TheDream.US has partnered with Mission Asset Fund (MAF) to provide grants covering the full cost of the DACA renewal fee for current Scholars and Alumni. If applying for the grant, you must submit 200 – 150 days in advance or your expiration date. If you are having trouble with your application, you can email: [email protected]

All Scholars and Alumni are highly encouraged to get a legal screening.

Legal Assistance

  • Immigration Q & A – We host monthly virtual gatherings over zoom every last Thursday of the month at 5pm ET, 4pm CT, 2pm PT, where Immigration Attorneys from Americans for Immigrant Justice answer Scholars’ immigration-related questions and additional resources are provided.
  • Informed Immigrant – Know Your Rights: This is a resource to help you understand your fundamental rights and how to use them to advocate for yourself and respond appropriately if you encounter the police or immigration enforcement.
  • National Immigration Legal Services Directory – Use this resource to search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory.
  • Family Preparedness and Emergency Planning – Deportation Preparation Manual for Immigration Families: Use this resource to create a plan to protect your kids, siblings and finances in the face of deportation. What you need to know!
  • Mission Asset Fund (MAF) – MAF recently launched their new FREE immigration screening APP called Mija which is an educational tool you can use to become informed of possible pathways for status adjustment.  They also have NO INTERST immigration loans, to help you cover the filing cost for multiple types of adjustment applications.  Learn more about these programs here. 
  • Exploring Immigration Pathways Through Employment
    • How To Approach Your Employer For Visa Sponsorship – This resource provides guidance for DACA recipients and other undocumented Dreamers on navigating discussions with employers regarding work visa sponsorship. The Informed Immigrant team previously shared this resource, which is also available on the Informed Immigrant website in English and Spanish.
    • Understanding H-1B “Specialty Occupations” – This high-level explainer provides an overview of H-1B “specialty occupations” and outlines eligibility criteria, including degree relevance, potential equivalencies, and the importance of consulting an immigration attorney for guidance.
    • A Brief Overview of H-1B “Cap-Exempt” Employers – This high-level explainer explains the categories of H-1B cap-exempt employers, who are not subject to the annual cap on H-1B visas. It links to a more detailed Path2Papers resource on cap-exempt employers.
    • Returning with a D3 Waiver – This resource from Path2Papers provides guidance for individuals who have returned to the U.S. on a temporary work visa with a D3 waiver of unlawful presence.
    • Immigration Options After a DACA Beneficiary Returns to the U.S. with an H-1B and D3 waiver – This resource from Path2Papers outlines the legal options and challenges a DACA recipient may face after being granted a D3 waiver and returning to the U.S., particularly if a consular officer determines that they have triggered the three-year or ten-year unlawful presence bars of inadmissibility.
    • Adjustment of Status Guide for Former DACA Beneficiaries with a D3 Waiver Due to a 3- or 10-Year Bar – This is a new guide Path2Papers published that offers legal arguments and templates for practitioners assisting DACA beneficiaries in applying for adjustment of status after re-entering the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, even if they required a D3 waiver at a consulate abroad due to the 3- or 10-year bars.
    • Path2Papers Free Consultations – For anyone who has returned to the US with a Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) who wants to explore an I-485 filing regardless of where they live. Any prior DACA applicant who has returned with an Employment Based NIV can sign up for a first-time or follow-up consultation. In the interest form, be sure to indicate the person’s non-immigrant visa status under ‘What is your current status?.
  • Immigrationhelp.org – This nonprofit that helps Dreamers prepare their DACA renewals and other immigration forms for free. Their eligibility and form prep tools are designed by a team of immigration legal experts. 
  • Highly Recommended: If your Campus or a nearby University/College offers an Immigration Clinic, we encourage you take advantage of their resources and connect with an expert in their office. Your life circumstances can change, and so can immigration laws. There may even be new legal pathways you haven’t heard of yet. It’s important to speak with a trusted immigration lawyer to understand how this affects your situation.

Family Preparedness and Emergency Planning

Immigration Fees Loans

Applying for immigration relief can be expensive, and high fees shouldn’t stop anyone from taking the next step toward their future. That’s why TheDream.US has partnered with Mission Asset Fund (MAF) to provide our Scholars and Alumni with access to a 0% interest Status Adjustment Application Loan.

This loan helps cover USCIS application fees, making it more affordable to pursue naturalization or other immigration benefits, while also giving Dreamers the opportunity to build their credit. Apply today!

Trump Administration Registration Requirement

  • What You Need to Know – The following is a high level resource answering common questions about what the registration is and who should seek legal advice to know if they should register. This resource is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals should consult legal counsel to address their specific legal issues. View the information in Spanish here.

Traveling While Undocumented

Disclaimer: Immigration policies and laws change quickly. Before making any decisions,
especially about traveling, consult a trusted attorney.

Filing Taxes as a DACA/TPS Recipient or ITIN Holder

  • NEW: Review our Tax Matters FAQs handout to learn more about tax matters for immigrants.
  • ITINS & TAXES 101 – This resource has information about ITINS, taxes, and potential risks for Dreamers. This resource is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Individuals should consult legal and/or tax counsel to address their specific questions.
  • Get answers to questions about filing your taxes as a DACA/TPS recipient, or using an ITIN, from the 2025 Tax Matters presentation slides.
  • Due to recent news reports about taxpayer data and immigration enforcement, we encourage you to read Immigrants Rising’s LinkedIn post on this matter (we agree with their recommendations).
    • Already have an ITIN and thinking about filing a 2024 tax return, but need more time? You can request a 6-month extension.
  • View our “ITINs Open Doors” playlist below for to learn about ITINs from an expert in tax law.
YouTube Playlist