DACA Recipients Lose Protections Amid Renewal Delays Surge
DACA recipients are losing protections and work – DACA recipients are losing protections as renewal delays intensify, creating significant challenges for those reliant on the program. For DACA recipients across the nation, the once-efficient process of securing work permits has become increasingly uncertain. Marco, a 26-year-old graduate from a top medical school, faces the risk of losing his legal status after submitting a renewal application in December 2025 without resolution. His journey, inspired by a desire to care for others following his grandmother’s battle with cancer, has been disrupted by the administration’s decision to slow processing times, leaving him unable to obtain the residency needed this summer.
The Escalating Delays
Marco is part of a growing group of over 500,000 DACA beneficiaries who depend on the program to maintain their legal status and employment authorization. Established under the Obama administration, DACA offers temporary relief to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, requiring renewals every two years. However, recent backlogs have forced many into limbo, with some losing their work permits due to extended wait times. To protect his future, Marco remains anxious, as the delays threaten his ability to work and pay off educational debts.
“Earlier this year, we observed a sharp increase in the number of DACA recipients facing prolonged delays,” said Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us. The bipartisan advocacy group, which partners with over 100 U.S. employers, noted that the current backlog is more severe than during the Trump administration’s initial term. “The median wait time has more than quadrupled,” Schulte explained, highlighting the strain on DACA recipients who rely on consistent work authorization for their livelihoods.
According to USCIS data, the median processing time for renewals has risen from about 15 days in fiscal year 2025 to roughly 70 days as of February 2026. Immigration attorneys estimate that most clients now wait over four months, with nearly 25,600 renewal applications pending in September 2025. Despite the agency’s recommendation to apply within a 120–150-day window, the exact number of DACA recipients who have lost their work permits remains unclear, intensifying the urgency for those affected.
Policy Shifts and Vetting Reforms
The delays are linked to recent changes in immigration policy, which prioritize stricter vetting procedures. The Trump administration has implemented new measures to curb both legal and illegal immigration, including an enhanced background check system. An internal USCIS memo reviewed by CNN revealed that the agency mandated resubmission of fingerprint-based checks via an expanded FBI system, effectively halting decisions and deepening the backlog.
“This change has disrupted the streamlined process many DACA recipients relied on,” said Dan Berger, founder of a DACA clinic at Cornell Law School. Berger noted that the new requirement forces applicants to reschedule biometric appointments, contributing to the extended wait times. “The previous system was too quick to approve applications without proper scrutiny,” he added, emphasizing the shift toward more rigorous checks, even as beneficiaries face prolonged uncertainty.
Marco, who arrived in the U.S. from Mexico at age four, had a biometrics renewal appointment scheduled for January 2026. However, it was postponed due to a severe snowstorm, further complicating his timeline. He described his record as “squeaky clean,” with no traffic violations or overdue library fines. “Losing my work permit would delay my ability to pay off over $100,000 in student loans and jeopardize my path as an anesthesiologist,” Marco said, underscoring the personal stakes for DACA recipients.
Support for the Delays
Some argue that the extended processing times are necessary to ensure the program’s integrity. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, defended the delays, stating that the prior pace was “superficial.” “They were rubber stamping applications,” he said. “Now, with more thorough evaluations, each case takes longer to process.”
“The speed of previous approvals reflects a lack of due diligence,” Krikorian added. “By slowing the process, USCIS is now conducting more rigorous checks to prevent fraud and ensure the program serves its intended purpose.”
USCIS has not explicitly confirmed whether the new policies directly caused the delays. In a statement to CNN, spokesperson Zach Kahler said: “Under President Trump’s leadership, USCIS is safeguarding the American people by more thoroughly screening and vetting all aliens.” This underscores the agency’s emphasis on security, even as DACA recipients navigate prolonged waits for their renewals. The debate over the program’s future continues, with advocates urging the administration to streamline the process to avoid widespread hardship.
