Processing times for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals have continued to lengthen in 2025 and 2026, with many applicants reporting waits that now extend from several weeks to multiple months. Immigration-focused reporting and USCIS-related updates point to a growing backlog of pending renewals compared with earlier periods, when approvals were often completed more quickly.
Recent reporting has linked the delays to expanded vetting measures and additional background-check procedures. A renewed emphasis on biometric and security screening has reportedly slowed case movement across the system. Advocates and immigration attorneys say the longer timelines have created uncertainty for recipients who depend on timely renewals to maintain work authorization and protection from deportation.
Several Democratic lawmakers, including members of Senate immigration and judiciary panels, have publicly urged USCIS to reduce the backlog and provide clearer processing timelines. Public statements and letters from senators and other officials have warned that prolonged delays could disrupt employment eligibility and create unnecessary hardship for DACA recipients. Calls for administrative improvements have focused on streamlining renewals while maintaining required security reviews.
By Daniela Pierre-Bravo (CNN) — Marco, 26, graduated from one of the country’s top medical schools last week. He found his calling after witnessing his grandmother battle cancer, and he sometimes worked up to 40 to 60 hours a week to afford his education. That dream is now in jeopardy. Marco is one of the
kvia.compercent longer than in FY 2023.4 The reported median processing time of 1.9 months for renewals for FY 2024 thus far is the highest since FY 2017. USCIS data also shows significant increases in pending application volumes (to their highest total in three years) in addition to past … visited Mar. 12, 2024). 4 See Historical National Median Processing Time (in Months) for All USCIS Offices for Select Forms By Fiscal Year, https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/historic-pt (last visited Mar. 25,...
www.durbin.senate.govSome of the program's beneficiaries have waited months for an answer, only to see their deadline pass without a decision
www.independent.co.ukWASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and 37 other Democratic Senators in demanding outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) […]
www.padilla.senate.govSome DACA recipients say their renewals are taking much longer to process than in previous years, putting their immigration status and livelihood in jeopardy as they wait. “It’s no longer something that really feels safe,” said Em, a mental health therapist who lives in San Diego and has had DACA for nine years. “I’m kind of in this limbo at all times of, ‘What’s going to happen next?’”
scottpeters.house.govWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with 26 Senators, urged U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director (USCIS) Ur M. Jaddou to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) […]
www.padilla.senate.govBy Daniela Pierre-Bravo (CNN) — Marco, 26, graduated from one of the country’s top medical schools last week. He found his calling after witnessing
krdo.comDACA Renewals Are Being Delayed — Here's What To Know – Featured – Borderless Magazine NFP
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