Traveling as a DACA beneficiary is not always a simple path. Many Dreamers believe that their current permit is enough to move freely, but the reality can be more complicated: searches, interrogations and even temporary detentions are possible scenarios, generating fear and confusion in the migrant community.
A recent example is the case of Ivana González, a young Mexican DACA beneficiary who in early August faced an uncomfortable moment at the St. Thomas airport in the Virgin Islands. When she tried to return to Texas, where she resides, she was stopped by immigration officials who questioned her about her nationality and asked her to prove which documents allowed her to legally enter the United States.
Although she finally managed to continue her trip, Ivana told her story on her TikTok account, where hundreds of Dreamers have written to her with questions about how to travel safely under the DACA program. Her story set off alarm bells among young Latinos who depend on this immigration benefit.
Traveling with DACA within the U.S.
@ivannathealchemist PSA FOR MY #dreamers Be prepared with multiple forms of ID when traveling outside the 50 states. This is the new standard for us..stay calm, answer the questions, breathe. It’s going to be okay. #traveltok #dreamer #psa ♬ original sound – Ivanna
As immigration attorney Jaime Vázquez explained to Telemundo Colorado, DACA recipients have the right to travel within the country, but it is important to keep in mind that any immigration official or security agent can detain them momentarily to verify the validity of the benefit.
Therefore, it is essential to carry updated documents at all times. Experts recommend that a ‘Dreamer’ carry with him or her:
Current DACA card.
Valid driver’s license.
Copy of approval of Form I-821D.
Valid work permit.
If any of these documents are not available at the time of a review, beneficiaries are exposed to delays, questioning or legal problems that may complicate their immigration status.
In addition, airports, interstate highways and some areas near the border tend to have a greater presence of agents, which increases the likelihood of being questioned.
DACA International Travel: Advance Parole
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When a DACA recipient wishes to leave the United States, the situation is more delicate.
It is not enough to have a valid card: it is mandatory to have a special permit called Advance Parole, which must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Advance Parole authorizes travel for humanitarian, employment or educational purposes.
Without this permit, a Dreamer who leaves the country will not be able to re-enter legally, even if his or her DACA is still in effect.
Recommended documents for those traveling abroad with Advance Parole include:
Valid passport.
Valid DACA card.
Approval of Form I-821D.
Advance Parole travel permit approved.
Immigration lawyers also stress that each case is different and that border authorities have full authority to review documents, interview the traveler and even deny entry in exceptional situations.
What dreamers should consider before they travel
For many young people who came to the United States as children, traveling under DACA is an experience fraught with uncertainty.
Although the program grants them protection from deportation and a work permit, it does not amount to permanent legal immigration status.
Experts recommend planning each trip in advance and consulting with an immigration attorney before leaving the country.
They also advise keeping digital copies of documents on the phone and maintaining communication with family or friends during the trip.
In the case of Ivana Gonzalez, her momentary detention in St. Thomas showed that even within the U.S., a DACA recipient can face challenges.
The young woman decided to share her story on social media to warn other Dreamers and remind them that traveling under this program requires preparation.
DACA and the future of travel for dreamers
The DACA program continues to be the subject of political debate in the United States.
While President Donald Trump, in his second term beginning in January 2025, maintains a critical stance against the legalization of the ‘Dreamers’, the courts and Congress continue to argue over the future of the benefit.
In this context, travel by DACA recipients continues to be subject to legal review and limitations.
Ivana’s experience and the warnings of immigration attorneys serve as a reminder that carrying the correct documents and understanding travel requirements is critical to avoid complications.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
