Congressman Gabe Evans Leads Congressional Effort to Address DACA Renewal Delays Affecting Workers in CO-08

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Gabe Evans sent a letter joined by several Republican Members of Congress urging the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite the timely processing of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications and employment authorizations for individuals who filed their paperwork on time but are now facing months-long delays.

While the delays are impacting communities across the country, Congressman Evans has made the issue a priority after hearing directly from constituents throughout Colorado's Eighth Congressional District. In recent months, his office has worked extensively with USCIS to help constituents whose work authorizations were nearing expiration while their renewal applications remained pending.

Those efforts resulted in several delayed renewals being approved, but other DACA applicants have yet to hear back on their visas.

"We are grateful for the partnership between USCIS and our offices' caseworkers to process applications for our constituents most at-risk to employment termination. However, the current delays are leaving otherwise eligible workers at risk of lapses in authorization, lost wages, and job separation….We stand ready to partner with USCIS and DHS to legislatively address any barriers to the timely processing of visa renewals. To best inform Congressional oversight and support, please provide answers to the following questions within 10 businesses days so we can work together to expedite the reviews of DACA renewals and help American industries thrive."

The letter further requests DHS and USCIS to work alongside Congress to identify the causes of the growing backlog, improve transparency surrounding processing times, and provide Congress with recommendations necessary to restore predictable, timely adjudication of DACA renewal applications. The Members also requested information regarding current processing times, staffing needs, and the Department's plan to reduce backlogs and prevent future employment disruptions.

Current delays have left many workers waiting as long as six months for renewals despite filing within USCIS's recommended timeline, placing them at risk of losing their employment through no fault of their own. The Members note that these delays not only affect workers and their families, but also employers in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and hospitality that rely on legally authorized employees.

The letter requests that DHS provide Congress with a response within ten business days so lawmakers can work collaboratively with the Department to address the backlog and prevent future disruptions for legally authorized workers and the businesses that depend on them.

Click here to watch Congressman Evans speak to Secretary Mullin in a June Homeland hearing on Constitutional rights and Department of Homeland Security's priorities.