Lawmakers and Families Urge Action on DACA Renewal Delays

Calls for immigration reform amid backlog of renewal applications

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:51pm

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A conceptual illustration featuring overlapping, fractured geometric shapes in warm earth tones and cool blues, representing the uncertainty and disruption faced by DACA recipients due to renewal delays.The DACA renewal backlog leaves recipients in legal limbo, disrupting their lives and livelihoods.Washington Today

Lawmakers, immigrant families, and advocacy groups are calling on the Biden administration to address delays in processing DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) renewal applications. The press call, hosted by the immigration reform organization FWD.us, highlighted the challenges faced by DACA recipients whose protections are set to expire due to a growing backlog at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Why it matters

DACA has provided temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. The delays in processing DACA renewals put recipients at risk of losing their legal status and facing potential deportation, disrupting their lives and livelihoods.

The details

The press call featured lawmakers, DACA recipients, and advocates who shared personal stories and called for the Biden administration to dedicate more resources to clearing the DACA renewal backlog. They also urged Congress to pass legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants.

  • The press call was hosted on April 6, 2026.

The players

FWD.us

An immigration reform organization that hosted the press call.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let DACA recipients fall through the cracks due to bureaucratic delays. Their futures and the futures of their families are at stake.”

— Representative Maria Garcia, U.S. Representative

“DACA has allowed me to work, study, and contribute to my community. Losing my status would be devastating, and I urge the administration to prioritize clearing the renewal backlog.”

— Alejandro Hernandez, DACA recipient

What’s next

The Biden administration has pledged to review the DACA renewal process and allocate additional resources to address the backlog. Congress is also expected to continue debating immigration reform legislation that could provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients.

The takeaway

The delays in DACA renewals highlight the ongoing challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and the need for comprehensive immigration reform that provides stability and protections for vulnerable populations.