DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients – often called Dreamers – are people who entered the US unlawfully as children but now have protected status that allows them to live and work legally.
But what happens if someone on DACA wants to take a cruise? Since DACA doesn’t grant US citizenship or permanent residency, many wonder whether leaving US waters could affect their ability to return.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly where DACA recipients can cruise safely, which destinations to avoid, and what travel documents are required.
DACA Recipients Cannot Leave the United States
Generally, DACA recipients are not able to go on a cruise that leaves the US. Even if the person does not leave the ship, they will be considered to have left the US without a permit (which cannot be sought for the purposes of a vacation), so they would not be readmitted. Only cruises wholly within the US are suitable for DACA recipients.
Unfortunately, for those protected by DACA, they are very limited in the travel they are allowed to do. The US government website clearly states that anyone receiving DACA is risking their status by engaging in unauthorised travel outside the country, and it may interrupt their status of continuous residence.
The only permitted way to travel outside the US as a DACA recipient is to successfully apply for Advance Parole. However, you are only allowed to apply for Advance Parole for one of three reasons:
- Humanitarian – travelling for medical treatment, to visit a sick or elderly relative, or for a funeral for a family member.
- Educational – specifically for academic research or studying a semester abroad.
- Employment – undertaking overseas assignments, attending meetings or training etc.
A cruise doesn’t fall under any of these. You might argue that it’s educational as you learn about the world, but those guidelines are strict. Therefore, DACA recipients can’t apply for Advance Parole, meaning they can’t go on any cruise that leaves US waters.
This does leave some exceptions. These are mainly US river cruises, Great Lakes cruises, and cruises to Hawaii on the Pride of America. (This Norwegian Cruise Line ship is unique as it is berthed in the US and exclusively offers cruises to Hawaii.)
DACA Recipients Cannot Go on Closed-Loop Cruises
DACA recipients are not permitted to travel on closed-loop cruises. Closed-loop cruises are return cruises from the US that visit other countries. Even if the recipient does not leave the ship, they are considered to have left the country and may be refused re-entry.
There’s a little bit of confusion over closed-loop cruises, because US citizens can usually sail on them without a passport. However, they are still required to show documentation, such as a birth certificate, to prove they are a US citizen.
DACA recipients are not US citizens, so they can’t board these cruises without risking not being allowed back into the country when their cruise is completed.
Suggested read: The Best Cruises For 18-Year-Olds
DACA Recipients Can Cruise to Hawaii and Back
DACA recipients are able to go on a cruise to Hawaii, provided it is on an itinerary that exclusively sails to Hawaii and back to the US. They cannot sail on a ship that visits any other country. The Pride of America – the NCL ship which only sails to Hawaii – is the most suitable option.
However, while this does provide options for DACA recipients who want to cruise, Pride of America cruises tend to be more expensive than other NCL cruises. That’s because, as a US-flagged ship with only US crew, the ship is more costly to run.
Although it may be an expensive choice, it is one of the few cruise options for DACA recipients, and so it is worth considering.
DACA Recipients Cannot Cruise to Alaska
DACA recipients generally can’t board a cruise to Alaska, because most of them dock in a port in Canada as part of the itinerary. Although some cruises don’t call at Canadian ports, the ship would be considered international travel, and so re-entry to the US could be denied.
Unfortunately, if you’re a DACA recipient who found a cruise only sailing to US ports, including Alaska, you are likely to be refused re-entry to the US when you sail back home. You can fly to Alaska, but even then, you are taking a risk on your return.
DACA Recipients Cannot Cruise to the Bahamas
Recipients of DACA cannot cruise to the Bahamas. It’s considered leaving the country, and they would put themselves at serious risk of being denied re-entry to the US on their return. DACA recipients must stay within the US to retain their status of continuous residence, on which their DACA hinges.
DACA Recipients Cannot Cruise to the Caribbean
DACA recipients cannot cruise to the Caribbean. Any international travel for DACA recipients must be accompanied by an Advance Parole permit, which only covers travel for humanitarian, educational or employment reasons. A cruise to the Caribbean would not be covered, and Advance Parole could not be applied for.
DACA Recipients Cannot Cruise to Mexico
Anyone receiving DACA is not allowed to leave the US for recreational travel, and so a cruise to Mexico would not be allowed. The recipient would be considered to have ‘self-deported’, meaning they would be treated as an illegal immigrant on their return and be denied entry to the US.
Final Word
Unfortunately for DACA recipients, the options for travel are heavily restricted. Ocean cruising that involves any kind of international port of call, or even an internationally flagged ship, would be considered breaching those guidelines.
You do have the option of a river cruise or a lakes cruise within the US. But if you’re a DACA recipient and want the full ocean cruise experience, your best bet is to look at the Pride of America and her Hawaii cruises. She might be one of the smaller NCL cruise ships, but she still has some excellent features, and you get the full cruise experience.
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