Lives on Hold: Young People Losing Jobs and Stability While Waiting for DACA Renewals
Key Takeaways
- Renewals of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) are facing delays that are interrupting work, driving privileges and access to services for recipients.
- DACA is an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, not a visa or permanent status; if deferred action and the related Employment Authorization Document (EAD) lapse, recipients can lose legal work authorization.
- Applicants must file renewal applications (Form I-821D and Form I-765) early—USCIS recommends applying up to 120 days before expiry—and currently pay an application fee (typically $495) and biometric fees where required.
- Litigation and shifting policy since 2017 have created uncertainty; it has been reported that backlogs and processing delays have grown, leaving many “DREAMers” without predictable timelines.
- Practical steps: file renewal early, keep employers and schools informed, and consult an immigration attorney or accredited representative if a work permit will expire before a renewal is approved.
What’s happening
Young people protected under DACA — often called “DREAMers” — say their lives are on pause while they wait for renewal decisions from USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). DACA provides deferred action from removal and eligibility for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When an EAD expires before a renewal is processed, recipients can lose the legal right to work, access to some state benefits and the ability to renew driver’s licenses in jurisdictions that tie them to work authorization. It has been reported that some applicants face delays of several months beyond the typical processing window, creating real economic and emotional strain.
Legal and policy context
DACA was created in 2012 as executive relief for people who arrived in the U.S. as children. It is not lawful permanent residence or a visa; it is discretionary and renewable. The program’s future has been contested in court since 2017, producing a patchwork of rulings and administrative guidance that have affected how renewals are handled. USCIS advises applicants to submit renewal requests up to 120 days before their current period of deferred action expires. Fees generally include filing forms (Form I-821D and Form I-765) and biometrics, amounting to roughly $495 in many cases. Ongoing litigation and administrative changes, however, have contributed to uncertainty and processing variability.
Human impact and what to do now
For people living on the edge of expiration, the consequences are concrete: lost paychecks, inability to keep or obtain a driver’s license, interruptions in higher education enrollment or internships, and heightened fear about future immigration prospects. If you or someone you know is a DACA recipient, file renewals as early as USCIS allows, maintain documentation of submissions and communications, and inform employers when possible. Consider seeking advice from a qualified immigration attorney or a recognized nonprofit accredited representative. If an EAD lapses before a renewal is approved, ask a lawyer about emergency options and keep records of the pending renewal—those records can sometimes help with employer disputes or state licensing offices.
Source: Original Article