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Immigration DACA Adjustment Contract

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IMMIGRATION DACA ADJUSTMENT CONTRACT

This Immigration DACA Adjustment Contract ("Agreement") is made on this day of , , by and between Client Name: (hereinafter "Client") and Representative/Firm Name: (hereinafter "Representative").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client currently holds deferred action or deferred status under DACA, and seeks adjustment of immigration status through available administrative relief or related applications; and

WHEREAS, Representative is duly authorized to provide immigration advice and representation in matters relating to adjustment of status, and Client desires to engage Representative to prepare, assemble, file, and represent Client in connection with the adjustment application and any ancillary immigration processes; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective duties, fees, and understandings in writing.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions apply: "Adjustment of Status" means the administrative and/or adjudicative process by which Client seeks a change in immigration classification or lawful permanent residence; "Services" means the tasks described in Section 3; and "Government Fees" means any filing, biometric, application, or other fees imposed by a government authority in connection with the Services.

2. ENGAGEMENT

Client engages Representative, and Representative accepts such engagement, to provide legal and administrative services reasonably necessary to prepare, file, and pursue an application for adjustment of status on behalf of Client, subject to the terms of this Agreement.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Representative will perform the following Services unless otherwise limited in writing: (a) advise Client regarding eligibility and required documentation for adjustment of status; (b) prepare and review all applications, declarations, exhibits, and supporting evidence; (c) file applications and follow up with relevant administrative authorities; (d) prepare Client for interviews and accompany Client to scheduled proceedings when authorized; and (e) communicate with government officials and third parties as reasonably necessary to advance the application. Specific Services and limitations:

4. CLIENT OBLIGATIONS

Client agrees to: (a) provide full, accurate, and timely information and all documents necessary for the preparation of applications and supporting evidence; (b) promptly sign documents requiring Client signature; (c) attend all scheduled interviews, biometric appointments, and hearings; (d) notify Representative of any change in address, employment, criminal history, or other material circumstance; and (e) truthfully disclose any prior removals, orders, or proceedings.

Client Authorizations (check as applicable):

5. FEES, PAYMENT, AND EXPENSES

Client agrees to pay Representative the following fees for the Services: Retainer Amount: ; Additional/Flat Fee: ; Hourly Rate (if applicable): .

Payment Schedule and Billing: Representative will apply the retainer to billed time and costs; Client will be billed for additional time and expenses in accordance with Representative's billing practices. Payment is due upon receipt unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6. GOVERNMENT FEES AND THIRD-PARTY COSTS

Government Fees, medical examination costs, translation fees, courier costs, expert reports, and other third-party costs are the responsibility of Client unless explicitly included in the fee provision above. Representative may collect such fees in advance or require Client to pay the third party directly.

Payment of Government Fees:

7. REFUND POLICY

Retainer and fees will be handled as follows: fees paid for services performed are earned when services are rendered. Any unearned portion of unexpended retainer will be refunded within a reasonable time following termination of services. Non-refundable items (if any) are described here:

8. NO GUARANTEE OF OUTCOME

Representative makes no promise or guarantee regarding the outcome of any application or proceeding. Any statements regarding likely outcomes are expressions of opinion only and not binding commitments. Final determinations rest solely with the decision-making authority.

9. CONFIDENTIALITY; ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE

All communications between Client and Representative that seek legal advice will be treated as confidential and subject to attorney-client privilege if and to the extent provided by applicable law. If Representative is not an attorney, applicable confidentiality protections will apply to the extent permitted by law, and Client acknowledges the limits of such protections.

Representative status (select applicable):

10. RECORDS, FILE RETENTION, AND RETURN OF DOCUMENTS

Representative will retain Client's file for a period of after the conclusion of the matter, unless legal obligations require otherwise. Upon request, Representative will deliver the original documents to Client and may retain copies for file retention.

11. TERMINATION

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice. Upon termination, Client remains responsible for fees and costs incurred prior to termination and for reasonable wind-up fees. Representative will provide Client with a final accounting and any refund due in accordance with Section 7.

12. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Client agrees to indemnify and hold Representative harmless from claims, demands, liabilities, and expenses arising from Client's misrepresentations, omissions, or failure to comply with obligations under this Agreement. Representative's liability for any claim arising from this engagement shall be limited to direct damages not exceeding the fees paid by Client under this Agreement, except for willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

13. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The parties agree to attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or related to this Agreement through negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to mediation. If mediation fails, either party may pursue resolution through litigation in the courts identified in Section 15.

14. NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below. Notice is effective upon personal delivery, delivery by nationally recognized courier, or three business days after deposit in the mail.

15. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified below. The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the county named below for any litigation arising from this Agreement.

Governing State: County for Venue:

16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER; COUNTERPARTS

Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. Failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of the right to enforce that provision in the future. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

18. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Client represents and warrants that all information provided to Representative is true, complete, and accurate to the best of Client's knowledge. Representative represents that it will perform Services in a competent and professional manner consistent with applicable standards.

Client:

By:

Date:

Representative/Firm:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Immigration DACA Adjustment Contract Is

The Immigration DACA Adjustment Contract is a written agreement used when a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient pursues an adjustment of immigration status and engages counsel, a representative, or third-party service providers. It clarifies roles, scope of services, fees, document handling, confidentiality, and consent for electronic delivery and signatures. The contract aligns with U.S. e-signature laws (15 U.S.C. ch. 96; UETA where adopted) and records retention expectations. It is a procedural and recordkeeping tool tailored to the client’s immigration pathway and filing strategy.

Why this contract matters for DACA adjustment cases

It records core commitments, fee arrangements, and client consent for electronic communications, reducing misunderstandings and supporting compliance with ESIGN and UETA while clarifying responsibilities during USCIS filing and evidence collection.

Why this contract matters for DACA adjustment cases

Who typically prepares or signs this agreement

Immigration attorneys, accredited representatives, and nonprofit legal clinics commonly use this contract when assisting DACA clients with status adjustment.

  • Immigration attorneys — define scope, fee structure, and responsibilities for petition and adjustment processing.
  • DACA recipients — ensure informed consent, electronic delivery permissions, and acknowledgment of document requirements.
  • Community clinics and accredited reps — use standardized contracts to manage high-volume client intake reliably.

Use a clear contract early in intake to set expectations before preparing USCIS forms or sharing sensitive supporting documents electronically.

Step-by-step: Preparing and executing the DACA Adjustment Contract

Follow these steps to prepare, review, sign, and store the contract before submitting any USCIS adjustment-related filings.

  • 01
    Prepare documents: Collect IDs, DACA notices, and supporting evidence.
  • 02
    Draft terms: Specify services, fees, timelines, and electronic consent.
  • 03
    Review with client: Confirm names, dates, and required signatures.
  • 04
    Sign and retain: Execute signatures, provide copies, and save audit trail.

Essential data fields at a glance

Full legal name: Exact as government ID
Date of birth: Enter as MM/DD/YYYY
USCIS number: A-number or receipt number
DACA evidence: Approval notice and EAD copies
Fees and payments: Itemized amounts and schedule
Signature consent: ESIGN disclosure and consent

Consequences and legal risks to note

Case Denial: Incomplete or false info risks denial
Processing Delays: Missing evidence triggers RFE
Fee Disputes: Ambiguous terms cause disputes
Identity Mismatch: Mismatched names affect eligibility
Professional Misconduct: Unauthorized practice risks sanctions
Data Breach: Exposed PII leads to harm

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the contract

  • Failing to match the client’s legal name across all documents, causing identity mismatches with USCIS records and potential denial or delay.
  • Not obtaining explicit ESIGN consumer disclosure and consent for electronic delivery, which can raise admissibility and consent issues under 15 U.S.C. ch. 96.
  • Submitting low-quality scanned evidence or incomplete DACA notices, leading counsel or USCIS to issue Requests for Evidence and extend processing time.
  • Using vague fee or refund language that leaves expectations unclear and increases the risk of fee disputes or ethics complaints.

Key timing considerations and fee reference points

Key timing and process expectations for contracting, collecting evidence, signing documents, and filing USCIS adjustment or related petitions.

Contract execution:

Sign before filing any USCIS forms

Fee disclosure:

Note USCIS I-485 fee: $1,440 including biometrics

Document collection:

Gather DACA notices, EADs, IDs, and affidavits

Responding to USCIS:

Follow RFE timelines; respond as instructed

Record retention:

Keep originals; retain copies per retention rules

How to set up an online workflow for this contract

Configure a repeatable eSignature workflow to collect signatures, attachments, and authentication before filing USCIS forms.

Field Configuration
Authentication Email + SMS code or stronger KBA
Conditional fields Show attachments box when evidence required
Attachments Allow PDF uploads; set file type limits
Retention Enable audit trail and exportable copy

Typical e-signing flow for the DACA Adjustment Contract

An efficient eight-step signing flow helps ensure consent, authentication, and a preserved audit trail for USCIS-related filings.

  • Upload document: Sender uploads the contract PDF or DOCX
  • Place fields: Add signature, date, and attachment fields
  • Send to signer: Signer receives secure email or link
  • Sign and record: Signer authenticates and signs; audit trail saved

Technical considerations for electronic signing and submission

Confirm the eSignature provider supports required authentication, audit trails, and file formats before starting the workflow.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, and exportable audit logs
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
  • Security: AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Core contract elements to include for DACA adjustment matters

A professional contract should cover scope, fees, document handling, consents, governing law, and the signature and retention details tailored for immigration work.

Scope of services

Describe precisely which USCIS forms and representation tasks are included, whether counsel will prepare I-485, I-130, or ancillary submissions, and any limits on appellate or new filings.

Fees and payment

State fixed fees or hourly rates, payment schedule, retainer terms, and refund policy. Specify who pays filing fees and whether fees cover biometrics or translation costs.

Document handling

Define how documents are collected, scanned, stored, and shared; identify secure upload methods and responsibilities for producing originals to USCIS when requested.

Electronic consent

Include ESIGN consumer disclosure and explicit consent to receive and sign records electronically; describe authentication method and client right to withdraw consent.

Confidentiality

Commit to protecting personally identifiable information, note any HIPAA considerations for health-related evidence, and describe breach notification procedures if PII is compromised.

Governing law

Specify the governing state law for contract disputes and whether arbitration or court jurisdiction applies; align choice with where services are delivered or where the practitioner is licensed.

Comparing common eSignature solutions for DACA adjustment workflows

Neutral feature and pricing comparison showing common vendor starting prices and capabilities relevant to executing Immigration DACA Adjustment Contracts.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes (plan-dependent) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about using this contract

Answers to common questions about legal validity, e-signatures, notarization, updates, and secure storage for Immigration DACA Adjustment Contracts.


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