Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against the Trump administration, accusing it of causing widespread delays in processing their renewal applications. The status, established under President Obama, allows individuals brought to the U.S. as children to obtain work permits and remain legally in the country.
The lawsuit, led by the Justice Action Center and other advocacy groups, argues that the delays are unexplained and unjustified. Plaintiffs include DACA recipients who followed federal guidelines to submit renewals at least 120 days before their current status expired, yet still face processing times that exceed the recommended window.
“People shouldn’t lose jobs and livelihoods because of unexplained government delays,” said Hillary Li, counsel at the Justice Action Center. “We asked a simple question: what changed, and why are DACA recipients facing mounting delays despite doing everything the U.S. government has asked of them? The Trump administration’s refusal to provide answers leaves us no choice but to go to court.”
DACA recipients must renew their status every two years. The delays have left many in limbo, unable to work legally or plan for their future. The lawsuit seeks to force the administration to explain the cause of the slowdown and to process renewals in a timely manner.
The legal action comes amid broader tensions over immigration policy under the Trump administration, which has sought to end DACA entirely. While the Supreme Court blocked an earlier termination attempt, the program has faced ongoing administrative hurdles. The renewal delays are the latest flashpoint in the fight over the program, which covers roughly 650,000 people.
The lawsuit highlights a pattern of administrative obstacles that critics say amount to a backdoor effort to dismantle DACA. Supporters of the program argue that the delays are part of a broader strategy to discourage renewals and reduce the number of beneficiaries.
As the administration faces multiple legal challenges over its immigration policies, this case adds to the pressure on the White House. The outcome could have significant implications for DACA recipients and the broader debate over immigration reform.
For more on the administration's recent political battles, see Trump Warns Socialist Primary Wins in NYC Signal Broader Democratic Crisis. Meanwhile, the administration's trade policies continue to escalate, as detailed in Trump Escalates Trade War: 100% Tariff Threat Over EU Digital Tax on US Tech.
