DACA Backlog Rises To New High

The Trump administration’s tougher approach to immigration enforcement is drawing renewed attention as federal officials face a growing backlog of applications from immigrants seeking to renew their temporary deportation protections and employment authorization.

According to a Thursday report from CBS News, more than 125,000 renewal applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program were awaiting decisions as of June 30, 2026. The delays have raised questions about processing times as the administration continues emphasizing national security, stronger background checks, and stricter immigration oversight.

Federal records show that the number of pending DACA renewals more than quadrupled between September 2025 and the end of June 2026. During that period, the number of active DACA recipients declined approximately 14%, falling to 436,350.

Trump Administration Defends Stricter Immigration Reviews

Officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) maintain that the additional screening measures are necessary to protect American communities and ensure applicants receive appropriate security reviews.

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler defended the administration’s approach, explaining that the agency has increased its focus on comprehensive background investigations and immigration enforcement priorities.

The administration argues that previous immigration procedures placed too much emphasis on convenience for applicants rather than thorough security examinations.

Under the expanded screening process, federal officials have reportedly increased FBI background investigations and examinations of applicants’ social media activity, including potential expressions of anti-American sentiment.

These measures reflect President Donald Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which prioritizes enforcement of federal immigration laws, stronger vetting procedures, and greater scrutiny of individuals seeking permission to remain in the United States.

DACA Processing Delays Reach Significant Levels

The increased scrutiny has coincided with a substantial slowdown in the processing of renewal applications.

Before the decline, USCIS regularly completed approximately 4,500 to 6,000 DACA renewals per week. However, processing dropped below 1,900 weekly applications in November 2025.

Although processing numbers improved during the second quarter of 2026, the overall backlog remained considerably higher than previous levels.

USCIS reported that 80% of DACA renewal applications were processed within seven months.

That timeline presents complications because the agency generally recommends that recipients submit renewal requests approximately four to five months before their existing protections expire.

As a result, some applicants have experienced gaps in their employment authorization while awaiting federal decisions.

Workers Report Job Losses And Financial Hardship

The processing delays have created difficult situations for individuals who previously received permission to work under the DACA program.

Juan Carlos Cerda, the Texas director of the American Business Immigration Coalition, reportedly had to take unpaid leave after waiting approximately six months for his renewal application to be approved.

Another recipient, 27-year-old Javier Diego Jacinto, reportedly lost his position as a school associate principal after his employment authorization expired in March.

Their experiences illustrate the employment challenges that can arise when immigration documents expire before federal officials complete renewal reviews.

However, the administration continues to emphasize that immigration benefits must be subject to appropriate examinations, regardless of the potential inconvenience or delays involved.

Former USCIS official Jonathan Micale suggested that the agency’s increased attention to fraud investigations and national security screening could be contributing to slower processing.

If federal personnel are assigned additional investigative responsibilities, fewer resources may be available to complete routine immigration applications.

What Federal Data Reveals About DACA Applications

Despite the administration’s expanded background screening requirements, federal statistics indicate that most DACA renewal applications continue to receive approval.

The denial rate has increased from a historical level of approximately 0.67% to 1.1%.

Although the percentage represents an increase, rejections remain relatively uncommon.

The figures also raise questions about how federal authorities can maintain extensive security checks while improving processing efficiency.

For supporters of stricter immigration enforcement, the central issue is ensuring that individuals receiving immigration-related benefits undergo comprehensive screening.

Critics of the delays argue that applicants who previously qualified for the program should not face extended interruptions to their employment authorization while waiting for renewal decisions.

What Is DACA And How Does It Work?

The DACA program was established in 2012 under former President Barack Obama.

It allows certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children to request temporary protection from deportation and authorization to work legally.

Importantly, DACA does not provide lawful immigration status, permanent residency, or American citizenship.

Instead, it offers temporary protections that eligible recipients must periodically renew.

The program has also faced years of legal challenges concerning presidential authority and the federal government’s power to establish immigration protections without congressional legislation.

A federal court injunction issued in 2021 prevents USCIS from approving new DACA applications, although qualifying existing recipients can continue requesting renewals under the applicable court orders.

That means the current program largely serves individuals who already received DACA protections rather than accepting new participants.

Immigration Enforcement Remains A Major National Debate

The growing DACA backlog highlights the continuing debate over immigration enforcement, government efficiency, and federal responsibility.

The Trump administration maintains that rigorous screening is essential to national security and the integrity of America’s immigration system.

At the same time, prolonged processing delays have generated concerns among employers and DACA recipients who rely on timely federal decisions to maintain employment authorization.

The challenge for federal immigration officials is determining how to conduct thorough background investigations while preventing unnecessary administrative delays.

For American taxpayers, employers, and families following the immigration debate, the issue also raises broader questions about government accountability and the effective use of federal resources.

As President Trump continues pursuing tougher immigration policies, the DACA backlog could become another important test of the administration’s ability to balance stronger enforcement with efficient government operations.