DACA, TPS & Mixed-Status Families

This hub provides comprehensive guidance for DACA recipients, TPS holders, and the millions of mixed-status families navigating an increasingly hostile immigration landscape in 2026.

Current Landscape

By the Numbers

Population	Count
Active DACA recipients	~525,000
TPS holders	~700,000+
Children with immigrant parent	18.4 million (1 in 4)
U.S. citizen children with undocumented parent	4.4 million
U.S. citizens with undocumented household member	~10 million

DACA Status (March 2026)

Current Legal Status

Status	Details
New applications	BLOCKED - Courts prohibit first-time applications
Renewals	ACTIVE - Current recipients may renew
Legal challenge	Fifth Circuit ruling stayed for existing beneficiaries
Next steps	Remanded to District Court for further proceedings

Key Dates

Event	Status
Fifth Circuit ruling	January 17, 2025 - DACA Final Rule declared unlawful
Supreme Court CASA decision	June 2025 - Limited nationwide injunctions
Current processing	Renewals only; no initial applications

Bottom line: If you currently have DACA, you can renew. New applicants cannot apply.

TPS Status (March 2026)

Country Designations

Country	Expiration	Current Status
El Salvador	September 9, 2026	Active
Haiti	February 3, 2026	Termination stayed by court
Honduras	September 8, 2025	Terminated; vacatur stayed
Lebanon	May 27, 2026	Active
Nepal	August 5, 2025	Terminated; vacatur stayed
Nicaragua	September 8, 2025	Terminated; vacatur stayed
Somalia	March 17, 2026	Termination stayed by court
South Sudan	January 5, 2026	Termination stayed by court
Sudan	October 19, 2026	Active
Syria	November 21, 2025	Termination paused by court
Ukraine	October 19, 2026	Active
Venezuela	October 2, 2026	Active (2023 cohorts)
Yemen	May 4, 2026	Active; ending May 4, 2026
Burma (Myanmar)	January 26, 2026	Termination postponed by court
Ethiopia	February 13, 2026	Termination stayed by court

See TPS Guide for detailed country-by-country information.

Resource Guides

Guide	Description
DACA Comprehensive Guide	Renewal procedures, fees, rights, enforcement risks
TPS Comprehensive Guide	Country designations, registration, work authorization
Mixed-Status Families	Family planning, documentation, financial strategies
Citizen Children's Rights	Legal protections, cancellation of removal, hardship
Family Reunification	Bars to reentry, waivers, maintaining connections
Emergency Planning	Deportation preparedness, custody, go-bags

Critical 2026 Updates

Fee Changes

Form	Previous	2026 Fee
DACA Renewal (online)	-	$555
DACA Renewal (paper)	-	$605
TPS Initial (I-821)	$500	$510
TPS EAD Initial	$550	$560
TPS EAD Renewal	$275	$280
Advance Parole	-	$1,000 parole fee

Policy Changes

Change	Impact
BIA appeals deadline	Reduced from 30 days; immediate action required
DACA termination for firearms	September 2025 policy mandates termination
287(g) expansion	More local police conducting immigration enforcement
CBP Home App	$2,600 self-deportation incentive program
Remittance tax	1% federal excise tax on cash-funded remittances

Mixed-Status Family Challenges

2026 Threats

Threat	Impact
HUD housing rule	Forces eviction of ~80,000 people including 37,000 children
"Keeping Families Together" vacated	Spouse parole protection eliminated
I-601A processing	28.5-36 month wait times
Detention surge	68,289 detained; 73.6% have no criminal convictions

Family Protection Priorities

Document everything - Citizenship papers, custody arrangements, financial access
Execute legal documents - POA, guardianship designations, medical authorization
Create emergency plan - Contact trees, meeting locations, go-bags
Know your rights - Red cards, right to remain silent, attorney access
Connect with legal resources - Before crisis, not during

DACA Renewal Timeline

When to File

Timeline	Action
150 days before expiration	Earliest recommended filing
120 days before expiration	Standard filing window
Before expiration	Critical to avoid gaps
After expiration	Risk of work authorization gap

Processing Reality

Median processing: 1-2 months
Backlogs possible
No automatic EAD extension during processing
Gap in authorization = employer must terminate

TPS Registration Windows

Critical Deadlines

TPS registration and re-registration occur during strictly defined 60-day windows published in the Federal Register.

If You Miss the Deadline	Consequence
Without good cause	TPS status withdrawn
Work authorization	Lost
"Good cause" exception	Must demonstrate compelling reason

Travel Warnings

DACA Advance Parole

Risk	Details
Fee	$1,000 parole fee upon return
Not guaranteed	CBP retains discretion to deny entry
Criminal history	Extreme risk of denial
Program termination	If DACA ends while abroad, stranded

2026 recommendation: Avoid international travel unless absolutely critical.

TPS Travel

Mechanism	Details
Form I-512T	TPS travel authorization
Benefit	Creates "admission" for adjustment purposes
Risk	Other inadmissibility grounds still apply

Mental Health Resources

Impact on Children

Children in mixed-status families experience:

Elevated rates of PTSD symptoms
Chronic school absenteeism
Severe anxiety
"Parentification" - acting as interpreters and navigators

Support Resources

Resource	Focus
TheDream.US	Mental health provider directories
UndocuHealth	Community mental health initiatives
Child Mind Institute	Trauma-informed guides for children
Sesame Workshop	Bilingual resources for young children

Legal Resources

Free Legal Help

Organization	Services
Immigration Advocates Network	National directory of vetted legal providers
ILRC	Know Your Rights, Red Cards, toolkits
United We Dream	DACA renewal funds, advocacy
FWD.us	Legislative advocacy, rapid response
LAFLA	Pro bono removal defense, U-visa

Warning: Notario Fraud

Never use unlicensed "notarios" who:

Claim to practice immigration law
Guarantee specific outcomes
Charge excessive fees
Refuse to provide credentials

Legislative Outlook

Pending Legislation

Bill	Provisions
American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 16)	10-year conditional residence, then LPR pathway
Dignity Act (H.R. 3599)	Dreamer protections + E-Verify + border changes

Status: Active but facing steep procedural hurdles.

Related Resources

Last updated: March 24, 2026