The Mora Law Firm, P.L.L.C. The Mora Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
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DACA Inmigración

DACA Attorney in Houston

An Immigrant Attorney Serving Houston’s DACA Community Since 2014

Attorney Mayra Mora founded The Mora Law Firm, P.L.L.C. in Houston in 2014, the year after relocating from Mexico City to Texas. As an immigrant herself, she brings more than professional knowledge to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals cases. Her immigration practice covers family-based petitions, asylum, and removal defense, and every client works directly with her at every stage. No associates. No paralegals as a primary point of contact. The firm serves Spanish-speaking clients throughout Harris County and the greater Houston area. Hablamos español.

If you or a family member need a DACA lawyer in Houston, call (832) 346-6330 or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Mora directly.

DACA Eligibility Requirements

Not everyone who came to the United States as a child qualifies for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. USCIS applies a specific set of criteria, and meeting all of them still doesn’t guarantee approval since DACA is a discretionary program. Understanding the requirements before filing is essential.

The criteria USCIS applies include:

  • Entered the U.S. before age 16
  • Continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007
  • Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing
  • Had no lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012
  • Are currently enrolled in school, have a high school diploma or GED, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard
  • Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and don’t pose a national security threat

One important note for Houston applicants: as of current federal court orders, new initial DACA filings remain blocked and only renewals are being accepted. This can change based on rulings from federal courts, including courts in the Southern District of Texas. Confirm current program status before filing.

The DACA Application Process

A DACA filing requires three USCIS forms submitted together. Form I-821D is the core request for consideration of deferred action. Form I-765 is the Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-765WS is a worksheet demonstrating economic need for that authorization. Supporting documents must accompany these forms: proof of identity, proof of U.S. entry before age 16, evidence of continuous residence since June 15, 2007, and school records, a diploma, GED, or military discharge paperwork.

After USCIS receives the filing, it issues a receipt notice and may schedule a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center for fingerprints and photographs. Attendance is required. USCIS then processes the application and may issue a Request for Evidence if additional documentation is needed. If approved, the recipient receives an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and deferred action status, currently valid for two years. There is no formal administrative appeal if an application is denied, which is why accurate, complete preparation matters so much before the first submission.

Schedule a Confidential DACA Consultation

Whether you’re assessing eligibility for the first time or preparing a renewal, Attorney Mora can review your situation and outline your options. The firm serves Harris County and surrounding counties, and consultations are available in English and Spanish.

Call (832) 346-6330 or reach us through the online contact form to get started. The Mora Law Firm, P.L.L.C. offers direct access to Attorney Mora from the first conversation. Hablamos español.

Why Houston DACA Recipients Work With The Mora Law Firm, P.L.L.C.

When you contact The Mora Law Firm, P.L.L.C., you speak with Attorney Mora. Not a case manager. Not a paralegal. She handles intake, prepares your forms, reviews your documents, and is the person you call with questions. That direct access matters in a program where a single error on Form I-821D can result in a denial with no administrative appeal path.

Attorney Mora’s immigration practice has helped many individuals navigate the U.S. immigration system since 2014. Clients describe her as insightful, responsive, and knowledgeable. She serves Houston’s Spanish-speaking immigrant community and offers consultations in Spanish. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a listed practice area at the firm, not an occasional case type.

What Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Provides

DACA offers meaningful, concrete protections during the period it’s active. Understanding what it does and doesn’t cover helps recipients make informed decisions about education, employment, and travel.

Benefits DACA provides:

  • Deportation protection for a renewable two-year period
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD) allowing legal work in the U.S.
  • Social Security number eligibility, required for employment, banking, and building credit
  • Texas driver’s license through the Texas Department of Public Safety
  • In-state tuition at many Texas colleges and universities
  • Advance parole for approved travel outside the U.S. for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes, provided it’s authorized before departure

DACA doesn’t provide a path to lawful permanent residence or citizenship on its own, and it doesn’t make recipients eligible for most federal public benefits. An attorney can help you understand how DACA interacts with other immigration options that may be available to you.

DACA in Houston: Local Courts & USCIS Processing

Houston applicants navigate a specific set of local realities. The USCIS Houston Field Office on Gears Road serves the metropolitan area and southeast Texas, handling interviews for non-asylum cases. Biometrics appointments for DACA recipients in the Houston area are conducted at co-located Application Support Centers, and applicants receive a scheduled notice they must follow.

Federal courts in the Southern District of Texas have issued rulings that directly affect Houston applicants, including orders blocking new initial filings. Because those rulings apply to Texas, the DACA experience here can differ from other states. Policy shifts tied to ongoing litigation require someone tracking developments in real time.

Attorney Mora has been part of the Houston community since 2013. She regularly appears before Houston immigration courts and has working knowledge of local immigration judges, court staff, and the Office of Chief Counsel. For DACA clients in Harris County, that on-the-ground familiarity is part of the representation.

DACA Renewals & the Risk of a Lapsed Status

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status lasts two years. Letting it lapse means losing both the Employment Authorization Document and deportation protection, disrupting employment, housing, and daily life immediately. Employers may also be unable to continue employing a DACA recipient once work authorization expires. USCIS recommends filing a renewal between 120 and 150 days before expiration, and that window matters more in Texas than in many states.

Federal litigation challenging DACA has continued since 2017, and courts, including those in Texas, have issued orders that shifted who could file and when. A court order can narrow or close the renewal window with little notice. Filing early and working with an attorney who monitors those developments can help reduce the risk of a gap in status. The renewal application requires the same three forms as the initial filing (I-821D, I-765, and I-765WS), along with updated evidence of continuous residency and confirmation that the applicant still meets eligibility requirements.

What to Bring to Your First Consultation

Attorney Mora conducts intake personally. The initial consultation is a one-on-one conversation to review your immigration history, assess your DACA eligibility or renewal status, and map out next steps based on your specific circumstances.

Helpful documents to have ready:

  • Prior DACA approval notices and Employment Authorization Documents
  • School records, transcripts, diploma, or GED establishing U.S. enrollment and graduation history
  • Proof of continuous residence, such as utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, or tax records
  • Proof of U.S. entry and age at entry, including a passport or birth certificate
  • Any prior USCIS correspondence or immigration court documents

If you’ve had any criminal charges, travel outside the U.S., or changes in family or immigration status since your last DACA approval, discuss those with Attorney Mora before filing. Acting early can help protect your status.

Call (832) 346-6330 or use our online contact form to schedule your confidential consultation. The firm serves clients throughout Harris County and surrounding areas, in English and in Spanish. Hablamos español.

    "Muchas gracias. súper abogada."

    - Stacy F.

    "She is a very tough but compassionate lawyer."

    - V.T.

    "Not only is she highly knowledgeable, but she is diligent and attentive."

    - Mariah W.

    "She was very knowledgeable and patient. She answered all my questions and took her time to thoroughly explain my options."

    - Brittney T.

Why Choose The Mora Law Firm?

Tenacious & Ethical Representation
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    We are dedicated to fighting for you with excellence, and we won't back down from a challenge.

  • Honest
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  • Compassionate
    We strive to provide ethical, personalized service for every client; you're never just a number to us.
  • Winning

    We navigate your case with passion and skill, and our results show it.