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USCIS Extended Processing Times for DACA Renewals

New vetting procedures and shifted staffing priorities caused significant backlogs for DACA recipients.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Immigration

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services extended processing times for DACA renewals beginning in November 2025, following a shift in staffing toward enhanced security screening procedures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should government agencies prioritize security vetting over the timely processing of immigration work permits?

Beginning in November 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services extended processing times for DACA renewal applications. The policy shift led to a substantial backlog and contributed to a decline in the number of active program participants.

Why it matters

USCIS prioritized new alien screening and vetting procedures to emphasize national safety and security. This change effectively reduced staff available for standard application adjudication, impacting work authorization status for many recipients.

Active DACA holders fell 14% to 436,350 by June 30, 2026, while the renewal backlog grew to over 125,000 applications. Weekly processing rates dropped from as many as 6,000 to fewer than 1,900 applications.

The players

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

This federal agency oversees the lawful immigration system and administers the DACA program.

The details

USCIS mandated enhanced vetting, including FBI background checks and social media monitoring, while shifting personnel to security screening positions. These procedural changes caused broader delays, including a 60% increase in noncitizen work authorization backlogs and an 80% increase in pending asylum applications.

Timeline

  1. The Obama administration implemented the DACA program in 2012.

  2. USCIS application processing rates began a rapid decline in November 2025.

  3. Adjudicators received instructions to increase background checks in April 2026.

  4. The DACA renewal backlog data was measured through June 30, 2026.

  5. Noncitizen work authorization backlog data was reported through August 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of increased vetting argue these requirements place undue burdens on applicants who have already undergone repeated background checks. These groups emphasize that administrative delays effectively penalize individuals who are currently authorized to work and reside in the country.

DACA recipients may face unexpected lapses in work authorization if their renewal applications are caught in the current 125,000-case backlog. Applicants should anticipate significantly longer wait times and potentially more rigorous documentation requests during the review process.

The takeaway

Renewals for DACA status currently require more extensive administrative lead time due to enhanced security protocols. Applicants are advised to submit renewal materials well in advance of their expiration dates to account for unpredictable processing delays.

Further reading

For more on federal policy updates, visit the Immigration section.

Live Poll

Should government agencies prioritize security vetting over the timely processing of immigration work permits?