Congresswoman Luz Rivas Urges USCIS to Address Backlog in DACA Renewal Applications

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) is urging U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow to address the backlog in renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applicants. Congresswoman Rivas' letter comes after her constituents experienced delays in their DACA renewal applications, including delays of up to 8 months. Nationwide reports have stated that USCIS is taking months longer on average to renew legal protections for DACA recipients.

"My constituents with DACA status continue to report extraordinary delays in USCIS processing times," wrote Congresswoman Rivas. "These prolonged delays prevent DACA recipients from maintaining valid work authorization, placing their livelihoods and employment at risk. As a result, many are experiencing severe financial hardship and face the prospect of unemployment, housing instability, immigration detention, and removal due to the lack of proper documentation caused by the Trump Administration's delayed adjudications."

DACA recipients must submit renewal applications between 120 and 150 days (4 to 5 months) before their current DACA status and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expire. According to USCIS, the current average processing time for DACA application renewals is approximately 3.5 months. However, constituents have reported delays longer than 4 months.

Congresswoman Rivas continued: "In my district, constituents have already lost their jobs and are facing eviction because of USCIS's failure to adjudicate applications in a timely fashion. In light of these significant consequences, prompt adjudication of DACA renewal applications is critical to safeguarding the economic security and well-being of hardworking individuals, their families, and the communities that depend on their contributions. I am urging you to take immediate steps to address the USCIS renewal backlogs and ensure these renewals are completed in a reasonable time frame."

A full copy of the letter can be found here.

Background:

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an executive policy that allows individuals who were brought to the United States as children without legal immigration status and who meet certain requirements to be considered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as not a priority for removal. DACA recipients are also eligible to receive legal protections and employment authorization, which is renewable in two-year increments. As of 2026, there are approximately 500,000 DACA recipients nationwide, including approximately 140,000 in California.

Congresswoman Rivas has hosted DACA workshops for constituents to help DACA recipients in CA-29 with their DACA renewal applications. Constituents needing assistance can call Congresswoman Rivas' Arleta office at (818) 253-3535.

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