Rep. Sara Jacobs Led 54 Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Delayed DACA Renewals
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) led 54 of her colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on extreme delays in processing renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. In a letter to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, the lawmakers emphasized that the delays are jeopardizing the livelihoods, financial stability, and well-being of recipients. The lawmakers urged the agency to expedite and process the renewals as fast as possible.
“DACA recipients have done everything right, and yet the Trump Administration continues to punish them,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs. “Republicans will claim that immigrants have to play by the rules, but even when they follow every single rule and live up to every single standard, this Administration still finds a way to create new roadblocks. USCIS’s prolonged delays of DACA renewals mean recipients are losing their jobs, unable to provide for their families, and at risk of detention or deportation. They came to this country through no fault of their own, and now they’re being punished again through no fault of their own. We will keep pushing for Dreamers to be able to stay, work, and live in the only home they’ve ever known permanently.”
The lawmakers wrote:
“Dear Director Edlow,
“We write to bring your urgent attention to protracted delays in processing renewal applications for Form I-821D: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Over the past few months, our offices have witnessed DACA cases lapse due to a backlog at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DACA recipients nationwide are required to renew Form I-821D every 2 years to maintain lawful presence, receive protection from deportation, and obtain a work authorization document. This delay has jeopardized the livelihood and financial stability of our constituents, impacting their well-being and ability to support their families.
“USCIS recommends that DACA recipients submit renewal applications between 120-150 days before their current form expires. Despite adhering to these guidelines, several of our constituents have yet to hear back from USCIS regarding their pending DACA renewal applications. Additionally, while USCIS indicates that processing times for Form I-821D is approximately 3.5 months, several cases have exceeded this timeframe. Allowing these cases to lapse causes work permits to expire and puts individuals at risk, as employers are forced to lay off DACA recipients, including essential workers, unless their renewals are approved in time. During the first quarter of FY 2026, USCIS reported that there were a total of 54,110 DACA renewal applications designated as pending. Given these urgent circumstances, it is critical that
DACA renewal applications be expedited and processed as soon as possible.
“We are also concerned that DACA renewals are solely being adjudicated at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). Over the past few months, our congressional staff has been unable to provide adequate updates to constituents because USCIS has been unresponsive to our inquiries. DACA is vital for recipients to remain in the United States, ensuring the continuity of their contributions to the US economy and workforce. Therefore, we urge USCIS to consider routing DACA renewals to other USCIS service centers to streamline adjudication of these cases.
“Thank you for your time and consideration. We respectfully await your timely response to this matter and ask that you provide this inquiry with full and fair consideration, consistent with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.”
Reps. Mark Takano, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jared Huffman, Juan Vargas, Glenn Ivey, André Carson, Nancy Pelosi, Shri Thanedar, Steven Horsford, George Whitesides, Wesley Bell, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Bill Foster, Eugene Vindman, Richard Neal, Mike Quigley, Ritchie Torres, Mark Pocan, Julie Johnson, Judy Chu, Dina Titus, Frederica Wilson, James Walkinshaw, Rashida Tlaib, Chrissy Houlahan, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Mark DeSaulnier, Nanette Barragán, Jim McGovern, Mike Levin, Bill Keating, Mary Gan Scanlon, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Laura Friedman, Sarah Elfreth, Lateefah Simon, Greg Landsman, Eric Sorensen, Seth Magaziner, Nikema Williams, Morgan McGarvey, Scott Peters, John Garamendi, Frank Pallone, Betty McCollum, Jennifer McClellan, Jamie Raskin, Gabe Amo, Susan DelBene, Andrea Salinas, Jerry Nadler, Doris Matsui, Jimmy Gomez, and Adelita Grijalva also signed the letter.
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