\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDelays in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals are leaving recipients in California facing job losses, loss of benefits, and deportation risks as processing times stretch beyond normal expectations. “We just want to continue living here and pay our bills and be a part of society and make the most out of it,” Xochilt Cruz Lopez said. Cruz Lopez, who has benefitted from DACA for 10 years says she began her renewal process in late October 2025, receiving a receipt notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Nov. 6, stating her application had been received and that she would be contacted soon. | MORE | Sacramento mother who was deported to Mexico despite DACA status returns home “It’s been a struggle because it’s about to be six months next week, I’ve been waiting. My work permit expired on Valentine’s Day — on the 14th of February,” Cruz Lopez said. Despite taking unpaid leave while waiting for approval, her time ran out, and she was terminated on April 15th. Cruz Lopez is one of more than 144,000 DACA recipients in California, many of whom are experiencing months-long delays in their renewal processes. USCIS data shows that renewals are taking around four months, but longer delays are leaving some recipients without work. “Renewals are taking an extremely long time \u2013 much longer than normal. This has resulted in a lot of people having their DACA status expired and at the same time, that means that their work authorization has expired,” said Brian Lopez, an immigration attorney. The delays are also affecting other aspects of Cruz Lopez’s life. “I received a letter stating that they will be canceling my REAL ID, so I’ll be able to legally drive, but I won’t be able to travel or have all of those other benefits on the 21st of May,” Cruz Lopez said. Attorney Lopez explained that some recipients may still be able to drive by applying for a license under AB-60, but it does not replace the benefits lost when DACA expires. “DACA does provide what’s called a deferred action which is basically a protection from deportation, and so if the person’s DACA has expired, they no longer have that protection and that could be used by immigration agents as a reason to detain and ultimately start the deportation process against them,” Lopez said. As concerns grow, more recipients are turning to lawmakers for assistance. Congresswoman Doris Matsui said her office has seen a sharp increase in requests for help with delayed DACA and work authorization renewals. Read her full statement: \u201cDACA recipients are losing their jobs and their stability because of deliberate targeting by the Trump Administration. My office has seen a sharp increase in constituents reaching out for help with delayed DACA and work authorization renewals. These are people who did everything right, built their lives here, and believed in the system. Now they are being left in limbo through no fault of their own,\u201d said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. \u201cThe Trump Administration\u2019s entire immigration agenda is wrong and immoral. And it\u2019s hurting people who are contributing to our communities every day. My office has been pushing DHS to reduce delays and demanding action by providing letters of support, direct advocacy to the agency, and accompanying applicants to DHS appointments. I am a cosponsor of the DREAM Act, and I will keep fighting for real protections and lasting stability. If you are experiencing delays or uncertainty, I encourage you to reach out to my office. We are here to help. I will always stand up for the people I serve and push back against these abuses.\u201d KCRA also reached out to USCIS to find out why processing times are taking longer for DACA renewals. Here’s what they said.”Under the leadership of President Trump, USCIS is safeguarding the American people by more thoroughly screening and vetting all aliens, which can lengthen processing time . DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country. Illegal aliens claiming to be recipients of DACA are not automatically protected from deportation. Any illegal alien who is a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and deportation for a number of reasons \u2014including if they committed a crime.” They add that the latest data available on the I-765 form-Employment Authorizations can be found in the in the USCIS Data Library.Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive order established by the Obama administration in 2012, provides temporary protections for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. The program shields these individuals from deportation and grants access to work permits, driver’s licenses, and other legal protections.Last week, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that having DACA status is no longer an automatic shield against deportation, allowing judges to move forward with removal cases even for active recipients.Click here to see the view the entire appeal.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tSACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Delays in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals are leaving recipients in California facing job losses, loss of benefits, and deportation risks as processing times stretch beyond normal expectations. <\/p>\n
“We just want to continue living here and pay our bills and be a part of society and make the most out of it,” Xochilt Cruz Lopez said. <\/p>\n
Cruz Lopez, who has benefitted from DACA for 10 years says she began her renewal process in late October 2025, receiving a receipt notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Nov. 6, stating her application had been received and that she would be contacted soon. <\/p>\n
| MORE | Sacramento mother who was deported to Mexico despite DACA status returns home <\/a><\/p>\n “It’s been a struggle because it’s about to be six months next week, I’ve been waiting. My work permit expired on Valentine’s Day — on the 14th of February,” Cruz Lopez said. <\/p>\n Despite taking unpaid leave while waiting for approval, her time ran out, and she was terminated on April 15th. <\/p>\n Cruz Lopez is one of more than 144,000 DACA recipients in California, many of whom are experiencing months-long delays in their renewal processes. USCIS data shows that renewals are taking around four months<\/a>, but longer delays are leaving some recipients without work. <\/p>\n “Renewals are taking an extremely long time \u2013 much longer than normal. This has resulted in a lot of people having their DACA status expired and at the same time, that means that their work authorization has expired,” said Brian Lopez, an immigration attorney. <\/p>\n The delays are also affecting other aspects of Cruz Lopez’s life. <\/p>\n “I received a letter stating that they will be canceling my REAL ID, so I’ll be able to legally drive, but I won’t be able to travel or have all of those other benefits on the 21st of May,” Cruz Lopez said. <\/p>\n Attorney Lopez explained that some recipients may still be able to drive by applying for a license under AB-60<\/a>, but it does not replace the benefits lost when DACA expires. <\/p>\n “DACA does provide what’s called a deferred action which is basically a protection from deportation, and so if the person’s DACA has expired, they no longer have that protection and that could be used by immigration agents as a reason to detain and ultimately start the deportation process against them,” Lopez said. <\/p>\n As concerns grow, more recipients are turning to lawmakers for assistance. Congresswoman Doris Matsui said her office has seen a sharp increase in requests for help with delayed DACA and work authorization renewals. <\/p>\n Read her full statement: <\/p>\n \u201cDACA recipients are losing their jobs and their stability because of deliberate targeting by the Trump Administration. My office has seen a sharp increase in constituents reaching out for help with delayed DACA and work authorization renewals. These are people who did everything right, built their lives here, and believed in the system. Now they are being left in limbo through no fault of their own,\u201d said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. \u201cThe Trump Administration\u2019s entire immigration agenda is wrong and immoral. And it\u2019s hurting people who are contributing to our communities every day. My office has been pushing DHS to reduce delays and demanding action by providing letters of support, direct advocacy to the agency, and accompanying applicants to DHS appointments. I am a cosponsor of the DREAM Act, and I will keep fighting for real protections and lasting stability. If you are experiencing delays or uncertainty, I encourage you to reach out to my office. We are here to help. I will always stand up for the people I serve and push back against these abuses.\u201d <\/p>\n KCRA also reached out to USCIS to find out why processing times are taking longer for DACA renewals. Here’s what they said.<\/p>\n “Under the leadership of President Trump, USCIS is safeguarding the American people by more thoroughly screening and vetting all aliens, which can lengthen processing time . DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country. Illegal aliens claiming to be recipients of DACA are not automatically protected from deportation. Any illegal alien who is a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and deportation for a number of reasons \u2014including if they committed a crime.” They add that the latest data available on the I-765 form-Employment Authorizations can be found in the in the USCIS Data Library.<\/a><\/p>\n Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive order established by the Obama administration in 2012, provides temporary protections for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. <\/p>\n The program shields these individuals from deportation and grants access to work permits, driver’s licenses, and other legal protections.<\/p>\n Last week, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that having DACA status is no longer an automatic shield against deportation, allowing judges to move forward with removal cases even for active recipients.<\/p>\n