DACA Advance Parole Travel from Riverside: 2026 Guide to Authorization, Risks, and Re-Entry

Quick Answer

Riverside County is home to a large DACA recipient population — young adults who arrived in the United States as children and have built their entire adult lives here. For Riverside DACA recipients with family ties to Mexico, Central America, or other countries, the desire to travel internationally — to visit aging parents, attend family events, or pursue educational opportunities — is a constant reality. Advance parole is the legal mechanism that allows DACA recipients to travel outside the United States and return without automatically losing their status. However, advance parole travel carries significant legal risks in 2026 that every Riverside DACA recipient must understand before purchasing an international ticket. SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 provides advance parole consultations and filing services for Riverside's DACA community.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What Is DACA Advance Parole?

Advance parole is a form of discretionary parole authority that allows a DACA recipient (or other immigration status holders) to depart the United States and return in 'parole' status. Without advance parole, a DACA recipient who leaves the United States triggers their own inadmissibility — they cannot return to DACA status and may face bars to re-entry based on their prior unlawful presence in the United States before DACA was granted. The critical legal effect of advance parole is that it converts what would otherwise be a 'departure' (triggering inadmissibility) into a 'paroled entry,' which in many cases allows DACA recipients to pursue green cards through adjustment of status with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident family member upon return — a pathway that would otherwise be unavailable. In 2026, advance parole for DACA recipients continues to be available through USCIS, filed on Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) with a request for advance parole for a specific purpose. USCIS processes DACA advance parole requests alongside DACA renewals or independently. Current USCIS processing time for DACA advance parole as of February 2026 is approximately 3 to 6 months.

•Advance parole filed on Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document)
•Fee: $630 for advance parole (biometrics not required for DACA advance parole)
•Three qualifying purposes: humanitarian, educational, or employment
•Must receive approved advance parole DOCUMENT before departing — applying is not enough
•Advance parole does not guarantee re-entry — CBP has authority to conduct secondary inspection
•Current processing time: 3-6 months (premium processing not available for advance parole)
•Advance parole validity: Typically 1-2 years from approval date
•Travel while I-131 is pending is prohibited — wait for the approved document

Three Qualifying Purposes for DACA Advance Parole

USCIS grants advance parole for DACA recipients under three qualifying categories. Each category requires specific documentation to support the request. Riverside DACA recipients must select the correct category and provide adequate supporting documentation — requests without sufficient justification are denied.

•Humanitarian purposes: Visiting a seriously ill family member abroad; attending a funeral of a close family member; obtaining medical treatment unavailable in the U.S.; emergency family situations. Required documentation: medical records, death certificates, doctor letters, hospital documentation
•Educational purposes: Participating in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. educational institution; attending academic conferences or symposia; conducting field research approved by a U.S. institution. Required documentation: enrollment verification, program approval letter, conference invitation, research approval letter
•Employment purposes: Traveling for a U.S. employer on a business assignment; participating in training programs sponsored by a U.S. employer; attending industry conferences as a representative of a U.S. employer. Required documentation: employer letter on company letterhead, business purpose description, proof of U.S. employment (pay stubs, employment verification)

2026 Policy Update: DACA Legal Status and Advance Parole

As of February 2026, DACA faces ongoing legal challenges in federal courts. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2022 that the DACA program is unlawful as applied to new applicants, but existing DACA recipients (those who had DACA before July 16, 2021) have continued to receive renewals under a preliminary injunction from the federal district court in Houston. USCIS is processing DACA renewal applications from existing recipients but is not accepting new initial DACA applications from individuals who never had DACA. This legal uncertainty has direct implications for advance parole: USCIS has continued processing advance parole requests from eligible DACA recipients throughout the ongoing litigation, but the legal landscape can change. Riverside DACA recipients considering advance parole travel in 2026 must consult with an immigration attorney before applying — the risks of advance parole travel have increased given the uncertain legal environment. Call SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 before making any advance parole travel decisions.

•DACA renewals: USCIS processing existing recipients' renewals under court order (February 2026)
•New DACA applications: NOT being accepted per Fifth Circuit ruling (ongoing litigation)
•Advance parole: USCIS processing advance parole requests from eligible DACA recipients
•Political environment: Changed enforcement priorities affect risk assessment for advance parole travel
•Executive action risk: Presidential executive orders can change DACA policy rapidly
•Consult attorney before ANY advance parole travel in 2026 — risk level has changed from prior years
•Congressional action: DACA legislation has not passed Congress as of February 2026

The Green Card Opportunity: Why Advance Parole Matters Beyond Just Travel

For many Riverside DACA recipients, advance parole is valuable not just for travel but because of a critical legal effect upon re-entry. When a DACA recipient enters the United States on advance parole, they are 'paroled in' — this entry creates an 'admission' for immigration purposes. An 'inspection and admission' (or parole) into the United States is a prerequisite for adjusting status (applying for a green card) inside the United States through Form I-485 without leaving the country. Before DACA and advance parole, most undocumented individuals could not pursue green cards inside the United States because they had no lawful admission — they would need to leave and go through consular processing, which would trigger 3-year or 10-year bars to re-entry based on unlawful presence. After an advance parole re-entry, a DACA recipient with a qualifying family relationship (U.S. citizen spouse, U.S. citizen parent if over 21, or a petition already approved for them) may be eligible to apply for a green card through adjustment of status without leaving the country. This is one of the most significant immigration benefits of advance parole for Riverside DACA recipients.

•Advance parole re-entry = 'inspection and admission' for immigration purposes
•Prior unlawful presence (before DACA): Does NOT count against you after advance parole re-entry for I-485 purposes
•Adjustment of status eligibility after advance parole: Requires a qualifying family petition (I-130 or I-360) and visa availability
•Qualifying relationships: U.S. citizen spouse, U.S. citizen parent (if applicant is over 21), or approved petition
•Visa number must be immediately available for adjustment — immediate relatives of U.S. citizens qualify
•Consult SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 before advance parole travel if you have a U.S. citizen family member

Risks of Advance Parole Travel for Riverside DACA Recipients

Advance parole travel is not risk-free. Riverside DACA recipients must fully understand the risks before departing. The most serious risk is denial of re-entry at the border — if CBP determines you are inadmissible for any reason, your advance parole document does not guarantee entry. You can be placed in expedited removal or referred to immigration court, and your DACA status could be jeopardized. SoCal Immigration Services evaluates each client's risk profile individually before recommending advance parole travel.

•Prior deportation orders: If you have a prior order of removal or deportation, advance parole will NOT allow re-entry and may result in immediate execution of the old order
•Criminal history: Any criminal conviction, even minor offenses, must be disclosed — certain convictions make a person inadmissible regardless of advance parole
•Fraud or misrepresentation: Any prior use of false documents to enter the U.S. creates serious inadmissibility issues
•Multiple prior unlawful entries: Pattern of repeated unlawful entries can be raised at re-entry
•Changed political environment: Increased enforcement at ports of entry creates risk even for technically eligible advance parolees
•Country-specific risks: Travel to certain countries (especially those under travel restrictions or with complicated relations with U.S.) may create security concerns at re-entry
•DACA status expiration: If your DACA expires while abroad and there is a policy change preventing renewal, you may not be able to return to DACA status

Step-by-Step: Filing Form I-131 for DACA Advance Parole from Riverside

The Form I-131 advance parole application requires careful preparation. SoCal Immigration Services prepares advance parole applications for Riverside DACA recipients and advises on documentation requirements for each qualifying purpose.

1
Step 1: Confirm your DACA status is current and will remain valid throughout your planned travel dates — do not file advance parole if your DACA expires soon without also filing a renewal
2
Step 2: Identify your qualifying purpose (humanitarian, educational, or employment) and begin gathering supporting documentation
3
Step 3: Complete Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) — select Part 1: Advance Parole; provide detailed description of the qualifying purpose in Part 3
4
Step 4: Prepare a personal statement explaining the specific reason for travel, the relationship to the purpose, and the anticipated duration of the trip
5
Step 5: Gather supporting documents: copy of current DACA approval notice (I-797), copy of EAD card (both sides), copy of passport or other ID, purpose-specific documentation (medical records, employer letter, school enrollment verification)
6
Step 6: Prepare the $630 filing fee by check or money order payable to 'U.S. Department of Homeland Security' or pay online
7
Step 7: Mail to USCIS (as of 2026, DACA advance parole is filed with the Phoenix Lockbox — confirm current filing address at uscis.gov before mailing)
8
Step 8: Receive USCIS receipt notice (I-797C) — monitor case at uscis.gov using receipt number
9
Step 9: Wait for approval document (Form I-512L, Advance Parole Document) — do NOT depart until you have the physical document in hand
10
Step 10: Before departing, schedule a consultation with SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 to review re-entry strategy

Re-Entry Process: What Happens at the U.S. Border or Airport

Understanding the re-entry process prepares Riverside DACA recipients for what to expect when returning from advance parole travel. The re-entry experience at the U.S. border or international airport determines the legal status of your entry — and whether you can pursue adjustment of status. At the port of entry, you will present your valid advance parole document (Form I-512L) and your passport to the CBP officer. The officer will review both documents and conduct a database check. For most advance parolees, this process takes the same time as a normal international return — but some cases are referred to secondary inspection.

•Present both your advance parole document (I-512L) and your passport to CBP officer
•CBP will check databases for criminal records, prior orders, and inadmissibility grounds
•Secondary inspection: A more detailed interview — remain calm, answer truthfully, do not volunteer information beyond what is asked
•If paroled in: Receive I-94 stamp or electronic I-94 record showing 'parole' status — save this record
•I-94 record: Download your I-94 within 24 hours of entry at i94.cbp.dhs.gov — this is your official entry record
•Contact SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 IMMEDIATELY after return if you were subjected to secondary inspection or if CBP asked unusual questions
•Do not surrender your advance parole document — you may need it as evidence of your paroled entry for future immigration filings
•Keep all travel records (boarding passes, hotel receipts, photos with timestamps) as evidence of your trip purpose

Contact SoCal Immigration Services for DACA Advance Parole in Riverside

DACA advance parole is a high-stakes decision that requires individualized legal evaluation. Every Riverside DACA recipient's situation is different — prior criminal history, family relationships, travel destination, and the current political environment all affect the risk-benefit analysis. SoCal Immigration Services provides comprehensive DACA advance parole consultations for Riverside clients. We evaluate your eligibility, assess your risk profile, prepare your Form I-131 application with complete supporting documentation, and advise you on re-entry strategies. We also assist DACA recipients who have returned from advance parole travel and are exploring adjustment of status to permanent residence. Our Spanish-speaking and bilingual staff serve Riverside's diverse immigrant community. Call us at (714) 421-8872 or visit our offices to schedule your advance parole consultation.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:Can I apply for DACA advance parole in 2026 with the ongoing court cases?

A: Yes. As of February 2026, USCIS is processing advance parole requests from existing DACA recipients (those who had DACA before July 16, 2021) pursuant to court orders. However, the legal landscape can change quickly. Consult SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 before filing to ensure your situation supports advance parole travel given current conditions.

Q:How long does DACA advance parole take to process in 2026?

A: As of February 2026, USCIS is processing DACA advance parole applications in approximately 3 to 6 months. Premium processing is not available for Form I-131 advance parole requests. Plan your travel well in advance and do not purchase non-refundable tickets until you have the approved advance parole document in hand.

Q:What is the advance parole fee for DACA recipients in 2026?

A: The Form I-131 filing fee for advance parole is $630 as of 2026. Biometrics are not required for DACA advance parole applications, so there is no separate biometrics fee. Fee waivers are available for applicants who cannot afford the fee and who meet income eligibility requirements.

Q:I have a prior misdemeanor conviction. Can I still get advance parole?

A: It depends on the specific offense. Some misdemeanor convictions do not create inadmissibility grounds, while others — particularly those involving moral turpitude, controlled substances, or domestic violence — may disqualify you or create serious re-entry risks. You must disclose all criminal history when consulting with an immigration attorney before filing. Call SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 for a criminal history evaluation.

Q:My DACA expires in 4 months. Can I file advance parole and travel before renewing?

A: This is inadvisable. If your DACA expires while you are abroad and your renewal is denied or delayed, you may be unable to return in parole status. File your DACA renewal first and ensure you have active DACA status throughout your planned travel dates. Ideally, your DACA should not expire for at least 6 months after you plan to return.

Q:Can advance parole help me get a green card through my U.S. citizen spouse?

A: Potentially yes, and this is one of the most important questions a DACA recipient can ask. If you re-enter the United States on advance parole and have a U.S. citizen spouse (or other immediate relative), you may be eligible to file Form I-485 (adjustment of status) for a green card without leaving the country again. This pathway previously unavailable to most undocumented individuals. Consult SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 to evaluate your specific situation.

Q:What happens to my DACA if I travel without advance parole?

A: Departing the United States without advance parole while on DACA will result in the termination of your DACA status and render you inadmissible to return. You would face the same 3-year and 10-year re-entry bars as any other individual with unlawful presence. Do not travel internationally without a valid, approved advance parole document in hand.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Riverside and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: February 18, 2026Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Get Professional Help Today

Our experienced team is ready to assist you with your immigration needs.

Serving Riverside and all of Southern California

Schedule a Consultation (714) 421-8872

status•Fullerton