CASTRO LEADS CALL FOR USCIS TO ADDRESS DACA RENEWAL BACKLOG
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Second Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led a letter to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Leon Rodriguez to answer several questions regarding a backlog of several hundred Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications. On August 10, 2016, USCIS announced that DACA recipients who submitted a request for DACA renewal between February 14 and May 14, 2016 may have experienced a delay in their renewal request due to a “technical problem” at USCIS. Due to the delay, many DREAMers are at risk of losing their job, scholarships, or fellowship program, or even face deportation.
“The DACA program has helped grow our nation’s economy and strengthen our national security. It’s also changed the lives of more than 700,000 young people who live in the United States and deeply love this country,” said Rep. Castro. “The vast majority of DACA recipients arrived in the United States at very young ages, by no fault of their own. They’ve enrolled in DACA to remain with their loved ones and to contribute to the nation that has provided them with so much opportunity. It is unconscionable that after meeting all the necessary renewal deadlines and requirements, hundreds of DREAMers would be at risk of losing their DACA status because of a vague, presumably avoidable ‘technical problem.’ USCIS should share how it plans to address the backlog of applications this problem has caused and clarify what will be done to assist affected DREAMers.”
Currently, there is no system in place to extend DACA status while USCIS is in the process of considering a renewal application. In addition to potentially losing scholarships or employment, affected DREAMers would also no longer be able to drive as their driver’s licenses are tied to their DACA status. Several immigration advocacy groups, including United We Dream, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, have reported hundreds of cases of DREAMers expressing concern about the delays or loss of DACA status to USCIS. In one example, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center reported 192 cases of DREAMers experiencing delays in DACA renewals, 80 of whom ultimately had their DACA status expire.
“DACA allowed young dreamers the opportunity to seek an education and contribute to our economy, but current delays are putting everything they have worked so hard for in jeopardy,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “These bright, motivated young people are assets to our communities, and they deserve better. I look forward to working with USCIS to quickly address this important issue.”
In their letter, Rep. Castro and his colleagues request USCIS provide several specific pieces of information, including the number of backlogged DACA renewal applications, what steps USCIS will take to assist DREAMers whose status renewals are not granted due to the USCIS technical problem, the exact nature of the technical problem, and USCIS’ options for alleviating the DACA renewal application backlog.
President Obama announced the launch of the highly successful DACA program in 2012. In the four years since DACA’s launch, nearly 750,000 DREAMers have benefited from the program. These young people have made important economic and cultural contributions to the United States.
Text of the letter is included below.
[BEGIN LETTER TEXT]
Leon Rodriguez
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Department of Homeland Security
20 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20549
Dear Director Rodriguez:
In 2012, President Obama announced the launch of the highly successful Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In the four years since the launch of DACA, nearly 750,000 young people have benefited from the program, and these young folks have, in turn, made important economic and social contributions not only to their families and communities, but to our nation as a whole. We appreciate the important work that USCIS has done to ensure that this program continues to be successful.
As you are aware, USCIS is currently experiencing extensive delays in processing DACA renewals for some DACA applicants.
In August, USCIS announced that DACA applicants who submitted a request for DACA renewal between February 14 and May 14, 2016 may have experienced delays in their renewal request. This has negatively affected several hundred DACA applicants, including individuals in our districts.
These renewals are critical for young folks attending college, serving as Teach for America instructors, working on their dissertations, and many others working and helping to support themselves and their families. This delay causes many of these young people stress and concern that they may lose their job, scholarships, fellowship program or be deported.
It is our understanding that the vast majority of these students submitted their DACA renewal request in the time frame USCIS advises, however a “technical problem” at USCIS has led to this significant backlog. Additionally, many applicants have been unable to get help or updates on the status of their renewal with only days left before their DACA status expires. Others have had their DACA status expire and have had to take a leave of absence from their jobs.
We request prompt response to the following questions:
1. How many DACA renewals are currently backlogged? How many DACA applicants have lost their DACA status because of USCIS delays?
2. What will USCIS do if a renewal is not granted in time? Will steps be taken to prevent the loss of scholarships, loss of employment, or deportation? Will USCIS supply letters to universities or employers explaining the delay?
3. Are there plans to extend the current DACA status of impacted students until the DACA renewal request is granted or denied?
4. What can be done to alleviate the backlog that USCIS is currently experiencing?
5. What was the nature of the “technical problem,” and is USCIS taking steps to ensure that it will not reoccur?
6. Will the “accrual of unlawful presence” affect students’ DACA applications or citizenship applications in the future?
We recognize the important work that USCIS is doing to ensure the continued success of this program and look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
Joaquin Castro
Norma Torres
Linda Sanchez
Luis Gutierrez
Xavier Becerra
Zoe Lofgren
Jim Costa
Tony Cardenas
Grace Napolitano
Ruben Hinojosa
Nydia Velazquez
Loretta Sanchez
Raul Grijalva
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Suzanne Bonamici
Ruben Gallego
Kurt Schrader
Albio Sires
Pete Aguilar
Michelle Lujan Grisham
Gene Green
Earl Blumenauer
Juan Vargas
Sam Farr
Lloyd Doggett
Yvette D. Clarke
Michael M. Honda
Judy Chu
José Serrano
Mark DeSaulnier
Mark Takano
Ben Ray Lujan
David Cicilline
Filemon Vela
cc: Secretary Jeh Johnson, Department of Homeland Security
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