By Blessing Nweke
Several immigrant advocacy organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that prolonged delays in processing renewals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are putting hundreds of thousands of recipients at risk of losing their jobs and legal work authorization.
The lawsuit argues that the delays have grown significantly in recent months, leaving many DACA recipients without timely decisions on renewal applications despite submitting them well before their permits expired. Advocacy groups claim the backlog has caused work permits to lapse, resulting in job losses, interrupted careers and uncertainty for families.
The plaintiffs are seeking greater transparency from the federal government, including records explaining why processing times have increased and whether policy changes within the administration contributed to the delays. They contend that the slowdown is effectively weakening the DACA program through administrative action rather than legislative changes.
The administration has defended its handling of applications. A spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said the agency is conducting more extensive screening and vetting of applicants, adding that DACA does not provide permanent legal status. The agency continues to advise recipients to submit renewal requests between 120 and 150 days before their current protections expire.
Created in 2012, DACA protects certain undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children from deportation while allowing them to work legally. Although courts have prevented new enrollments, current recipients remain eligible to renew their status as legal challenges continue.
Immigrant rights organizations say the lawsuit aims to ensure eligible recipients receive timely renewals and to prevent administrative delays from undermining a program that continues to provide protection for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across the United States.
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