Recently, CLINIC’s Advocacy team learned from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that in fiscal year 2024, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications had a timely submission rate of approximately 16 percent. Timely submission rate refers to the number of DACA recipients who submit their renewal applications at least 120-150 days before the expiration date. Failure to file timely causes unlawful presence to increase and risks the loss of employment authorization. The low rate of timely filing, coupled with last fall’s USCIS technical updates which caused glitches, increased processing times for DACA renewal adjudications, which ranged from five to six months. However, according to USCIS, current median processing times are down to two-and-a-half months, with some applications pending more than three months.

Additional implications arise for individuals who submit applications less than 120 days before their DACA expiration date, as limited resources at the agency, including insufficient numbers of adjudicators, delay processing times for applicants. Furthermore, USCIS stated that renewal applicants are not responding to requests for evidence (RFEs), notices of intent to deny (NOID), or not responding adequately to either, which further delays processing times.

CLINIC encourages DACA beneficiaries to continue filing renewal applications in a timely manner. In addition to filing on time, CLINIC urges DACA recipients to compile their evidence, seek representation if necessary, and complete their application well before 150 days from the expiration of their status. Submitting renewal applications close to the 150-day mark, but no more than 120 days before their DACA expiration date, allows for adequate responses to RFE’s or NOIDs and prevents a lapse in status.