DACA in Review

1. DACA is still temporary

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, was implemented in 2012. Yet, it’s still a temporary program with no permanent pathways to citizenship. A deferred action does not grant legal status to individuals who meet the program criteria, placing them in limbo as they strive to build a life in the country they’ve spent most of their lives in.

2. How many DACA recipients?

There are over 800,000 DACA recipients in the United States. If this program were to end, communities and the work sector as more than half of these people would be kicked out of the American labor force.

At a local level, there are more than 14,000 DACA recipients in the RGV. These South Texas individuals are contributing members of our communities and local economy. They are business owners, teachers, healthcare professionals, and industrial workers.

3. Delays on renewals

For the past couple of months, DACA renewals have been taking much longer than they used to. Historically, some people would receive approvals in a couple of weeks, but the average is now months. According to a report from USCIS, the average wait time for a renewal is three and a half months. Although some of the reasons for this are late filings and extra review for some cases, depending on the country of origin, biometrics or fingerprinting appointments have resumed.

The impact of these delays has even resulted in beneficiaries losing their jobs. Currently, one hundred LUPE member DACAs have expired. 

4. April 2026 BIA court ruling

The Board of Immigration Appeals set a new precedent, claiming that being a DACA recipient is not enough reason to protect individuals from deportation. This move pushes this administration’s anti-immigrant agenda further, making it a lot easier to deport immigrants with DACA.

We’ve already learned of LUPE members who have been detained, and even deported, with no basis. Personal anecdotes of those in detention, including Yenniffer England, have disclosed how they were told that their DACA meant nothing. 

5. Children no more

The DACA generation hits their 30s, and even though most of them have built lives, grown families, and worked for many years, their futures are not guaranteed. The Obama administration program was meant to protect children who had entered the U.S. illegally as a temporary solution while Congress negotiated a permanent pathway. Fourteen years later, Congress has failed to provide these adults a solution and take them out of limbo.

Today, the youngest possible DACA recipient is 21 years old, since they would have had to enter the US before June 15th, 2007 (5 years before 2012). The program’s name is outdated and no longer accurately describes the population it serves. It’s time for Congress to bring forward an immediate solution for recipients.

6. Two-year terms

Individuals who meet the guidelines for consideration of DACA qualify for two years, with the possibility of employment authorization. This means that in its 14-year history, some applicants have had to or will renew seven times—yet another reason why we need Congress to pass legislation now. There is a cost and tedious process to renewals, but recipients carry out their responsibilities to ensure they are able to continue working and building their lives.

7. DACA recipients and healthcare

DACA recipients are now barred from accessing subsidized Marketplace plans. Since last year, DACA recipients no longer have an eligible immigration status in applications for marketplace coverage, a previous benefit they held before this administration stripped them of healthcare access. 

8. Travel advisory

On April 28, 2026, LUPE issued a DACA Travel Advisory in direct response to the BIA’s decision to end DACA protections. The goal of this advisory is to protect Dreamers who would otherwise travel to or from the Texas-Mexico border region, especially those with expired DACA. 

9. Barriers to higher education – TX Dream Act

In the summer of 2025, a federal judge struck down the law that allowed certain undocumented students to pay in-state tuition since 2001. Formerly, these students had to meet certain criteria, including students without legal status to reside in a state for three years before graduating high school or earning an equivalent diploma. Students also had to sign an affidavit in which they promised to seek permanent residency.

According to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, an estimated 12,000 undocumented students graduate from Texas high schools every year. There are over 73,000 undocumented students currently in higher education, who will eventually graduate, be ready to join the workforce, and become better candidates for legal residence.

10. Economics

In order to deserve or justify remaining in this country, it does not mean that DACA recipients should have to be token immigrants. However, an estimated 440,000 recipients contribute to the American workforce. Dreamers work, pay taxes, purchase homes, finance vehicles, and take out loans just like citizens. Yet, they are not granted the protections and benefits that other tax-paying individuals are. Ending this program could cost the U.S. up to $648 billion in economic losses – an impact of about $37 billion would be felt in Texas.

11. Secure America Act

The House of Reps voted to approve $70 billion in additional funding to ICE and Border Patrol in June 2026. This move facilitates the investment of billions of dollars into detention and deportation, especially for already vulnerable communities like Dreamers. The passing of this bill also makes ICE the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the U.S. Security is not the priority. Control is. It’s time to stop funding reckless agencies that terrorize and separate families.

12. Durbin DACA Processing and Deportation Protection Amendment

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been advocating for permanent legislative solutions for DACA recipients. Earlier this year, Durbin proposed an amendment to redirect $10 million from DHS’s budget to specifically assist in the delays in DACA processing. This amendment fell through as the Senate and House passed the Secure America Act.

13. Devastating consequences

The Department of Homeland Security has detained over 340 DACA recipients and deported over 90 since the start of 2025. Although the numbers are larger, this administration continues to attack Dreamers and other groups. There are about 100,000 children, citizens included, who have been separated from their loved ones. Family separation is not an answer — it’s simply another tactic to promote fear and chip away at a program with a promise of a future.

14. Fourteen years. One demand.

We continue the fight — in the halls of Congress, in the streets, and alongside our communities — demanding what is long overdue: a pathway to citizenship for all DACA recipients.

Organize with us. LUPE is leading the fight for a permanent solution through civic engagement, narrative shift, and community organizing. We come together and stand alongside our members and any community that continues to be targeted. Become a LUPE member today and join us as we continue the fight for the American dream for hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients.