Members of Congress are requesting answers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal delays, stating that processing issues could affect recipients whose work authorization depends on timely approval. 

Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-D) led lawmakers in sending a congressional letter to USCIS requesting information about DACA renewal processing delays, filing fees and agency transparency related to DACA renewals.

“I am committed to finding a long-term solution and pathway to citizenship for Dreamers,” Rep. Salinas said.

Lawmakers said delayed renewals could create difficulties for recipients whose legal protections and employment authorization rely on approved applications.

The letter was sent as legal disputes surrounding DACA continue in federal courts and lawmakers debate immigration policy in Congress.

The DACA program was created in 2012 under the Obama administration through an executive action issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The policy allows certain undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children to receive temporary protection from deportation and obtain work authorization.

Current DACA recipients can continue renewing their protections while ongoing court orders remain in effect. However, new applications are not currently being processed because of continuing litigation involving the program.

Legal disputes surrounding DACA have remained central to national debates over immigration policy and executive authority for several years. 

In 2018, several Republicans-led states filed a federal lawsuit challenging DACA, arguing the executive branch exceeded its authority by creating DACA without approval from Congress.

In 2021, the Biden administration issued an executive action directing federal agencies to continue supporting DACA while legal challenges remained ongoing. 

In 2022, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that parts of DACA were unlawful regarding whether the federal government had the authority to continue implementing the program. 

The legal challenges involving DACA focus partly on executive branch authority over immigration enforcement and whether the policy complies with federal administrative law. 

Immigration policy has remained a major political issue during recent presidential administrations and election cycles, particularly as lawmakers continue debating broader immigration reform proposals in Congress. 

Supporters of DACA contribute to local communities by working, attending schools and participating in the economy. 

Critics of DACA argue immigration policy changes should be addressed through congressional legislation instead of executive action by presidential administrations. 

Although Congress has debated immigration reform proposals involving DACA recipients for years, lawmakers have not approved permanent legislation addressing the future of the program.

Congress continues debating immigration proposals involving DACA recipients, including the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025, which would provide a pathway to permanent legal status for certain immigrants brought to the United States as children. 

The renewal process also continues to create financial and administrative concerns for some recipients. 

DACA renewals generally must be completed every two years through the USCIS and require updated documentation and filing fees.

USCIS processing times for many DACA renewal requests reached approximately 122 days by the end of April 2026. 

Applicants from countries included under the president’s latest travel restrictions may face additional screening procedures during immigration processing. 

Lawmakers also requested additional information regarding processing times and the impact delayed renewals may have on recipients whose work authorization could expire while applications remain pending.

As court proceedings and political debates continue, current DACA recipients remain eligible to renew their protections, though the long-term future of the program remains uncertain.