- National median processing times for DACA renewals rose from 15 to 70 days since late 2025.
- New policies have limited biometrics reuse to 18 months, adding significant delays for many applicants.
- Lawmakers warn that processing lags risk work authorization gaps for thousands of essential workers.
(NEVADA) — DACA renewal processing is taking longer than it did a year ago, with USCIS data showing the national median rose from about 15 days in fiscal year 2025 to about 70 days between October 2025 and February 2026. By June 2026, some recipients reported waits of 4 to 6 months. On the program’s 14th anniversary, Nevada Democrats used that trend to accuse DHS and USCIS of slowing renewals and putting work permits at risk.
The anniversary fell on June 15, 2026. DACA recipients can still seek renewals, but first-time requests remain blocked by litigation. The recent dispute is about timing. Delays can create a gap between the expiration of current protection and approval of the next renewal, which can force recipients to stop working when their Employment Authorization Document expires.
USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said in a June 2026 statement that the agency is “more thoroughly screening and vetting all aliens” and that DACA “does not confer any form of legal status.” USCIS also issued a May 8, 2026 Policy Manual update describing deferred action as an “extraordinary” use of prosecutorial discretion. The guidance says renewals can still be denied even when threshold criteria are met.
One driver of the slowdown is biometrics. A 2025 policy change limited biometrics reuse to fingerprints captured within the previous 18 months, down from 24 months. That added an estimated 6 to 8 weeks for about 40% of applicants. Requests can also take longer if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, schedules biometrics, runs added security checks, or reviews travel, criminal, or public safety issues.
Federal policy changes added another layer. Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998, issued in June 2025, paused or delayed renewals for some nationals of countries flagged for insufficient security screening protocols. USCIS has cited screening and vetting rules as part of the reason some cases now move more slowly than the historical median.
The Nevada political response has been sharp. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said on June 16, 2026 that the delays amount to a direct attack on Dreamers. Congressman Steven Horsford said on June 15, 2026 that he had heard from healthcare workers afraid they would lose the ability to treat patients while renewals remained pending. Horsford said nearly 11,000 Dreamers live in his district and contribute more than $300 million annually to the local economy.
The stakes extend beyond payroll. Workers in healthcare and education can lose jobs when an employment card lapses before approval. Reports also indicate that more than 260 DACA recipients were detained by ICE during the first ten months of 2026, with more than 80 deported as of February 2026. Court rulings, including a June 5, 2026 decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island and ongoing 5th Circuit litigation, continue to shape what USCIS can accept and process.
⏱️ Processing Time: USCIS processing times are estimates, not guarantees. As of June 2026, DACA renewals are taking longer than in FY2025. Check current case estimates at USCIS processing times page. ⚠️ Common Mistake: Filing too close to expiration can create a work authorization gap. USCIS can also reject a package for the wrong fee, missing signatures, or missing pages.
Applicants renewing DACA generally file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, along with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-765WS, Worksheet. USCIS posts the current fee schedule at USCIS fee schedule. Use the exact amount listed there as of June 2026. A wrong payment amount can lead to rejection. Fee waiver rules are limited, and applicants should review the current DACA instructions before filing.
| Form | Purpose | Fee status as of June 2026 | Processing note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-821D | DACA renewal request | Verify at USCIS fee schedule | Can be delayed by vetting, biometrics, or RFEs |
| Form I-765 | Employment authorization | Verify at USCIS fee schedule | Approval timing often tracks the DACA renewal |
| Form I-765WS | Economic necessity worksheet | No separate fee | Must be included if required by current instructions |
USCIS does not publish DACA renewal times by the same service-center breakdown used for many other forms, but its national historical data shows the recent shift clearly.
| Period | DACA national median processing time | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | ~15 days | Faster |
| Oct. 2025 to Feb. 2026 | ~70 days | Slower |
| June 2026 reports | 4 to 6 months in some cases | Much slower for affected applicants |
Applicants can check a pending case in three steps. 1. Create or sign in to an account at USCIS online account page. 2. Enter the receipt number from the Form I-797 receipt notice. 3. Compare the filing date to USCIS time ranges at the processing times page. USCIS says those time ranges are estimates, and individual cases vary by filing type, evidence, security screening, and whether an interview or biometrics appointment is required.
Expedite requests remain limited. USCIS generally requires documented urgent circumstances, such as severe financial loss, emergencies, or other criteria listed in agency guidance. A delayed DACA renewal alone does not guarantee expedited handling. Strong requests include a receipt number, proof of the job loss risk, employer letters, medical or emergency records when relevant, and a clear explanation of the harm. Applicants can ask through their USCIS online account or by calling 1-800-375-5283.
Official government references for this issue include the DACA page for I-821D, the USCIS Manual update on deferred action dated May 8, 2026, and USCIS historical median processing time reports at USCIS immigration and citizenship data page. Applicants with pending renewals should review the latest form instructions, confirm the current fee, keep their mailing address updated with USCIS, and watch for biometrics or evidence notices in the online account.
📋 Official Resources: Download forms at USCIS forms page. Check processing times at USCIS processing times page. Fees and processing times are subject to change, always verify current information at USCIS website.
