To reduce these disruptions and risks for DACA recipients, we urge you to reduce processing times for DACA renewal applications and reduce the volume of pending cases through timely renewals.
Urge the Department of Homeland Security to reduce processing times for DACA renewal applications and reduce the volume of pending cases through timely renewals.
Occurrences
Senator Cortez Masto...held a press call to highlight growing delays in DACA renewal processing and called for immediate action from DHS.
To reduce these disruptions and risks for DACA recipients, we urge you to reduce processing times for DACA renewal applications and reduce the volume of pending cases through timely renewals.
We encourage DHS and USCIS to expedite the review and processing of these renewal applications.
Evidence
unverified · Source version 4989 · locator unknown
On March 17, 2026, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, along with Senator Dick Durbin and 39 other Democratic colleagues, sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, urging the Department to reduce delays in processing DACA renewal applications. The letter highlighted the negative consequences of these delays, including loss of employment authorization and increased risk of detention and deportation for DACA recipients.
unverified · Source version 87185 · locator unknown
On April 3, 2026, Senator Cortez Masto, Representative Vicente Gonzalez, and advocates held a press call to highlight growing delays in DACA renewal processing and called for immediate action from DHS. They emphasized the severe consequences of these delays, including detention and deportation of DACA recipients whose renewals were not processed in time.
unverified · Source version 4991 · locator unknown
In July 2024, USCIS responded to Senator Cortez Masto's inquiry regarding DACA processing times, providing data on the number of initial and renewal requests received and processed, as well as information on biometric appointments and adjudication times.
unverified · Source version 29967 · locator unknown
Axios reported on May 18, 2026 that USCIS processing times for some DACA renewals were as long as six months and that more than 120,000 cases were pending in the last quarter of FY2025, showing the backlog and delays were still ongoing.
unverified · Source version 62804 · locator unknown
On Aug. 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Red Eagle Law, L.C., et al., v. Joseph B. Edlow, 26-cv-04850-CRB (NDCA), enjoining PM 602-0192, and PM 602-0194. USCIS is ordered to adjudicate applications in the normal course of USCIS’ process.
verified · Source version 62806 · locator 2137
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 63% fewer Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals in the first half of FY2026 than in the same period of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, 53,855, down from nearly 145,000.
unverified · Source version 62808 · locator unknown
I-821D Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Request for Renewal of Deferred Action | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 3.3
verified · Source version 62810 · locator 5162
To reduce these disruptions and risks for DACA recipients, we urge you to reduce processing times for DACA renewal applications and reduce the volume of pending cases through timely renewals.
unverified · Source version 87185 · locator unknown
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas-34), impacted families, and advocates joined FWD.us on a press call to highlight growing delays in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal processing and call for immediate action from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
unverified · Source version 62813 · locator unknown
This administration is intentionally delaying DACA renewals so DACA recipients go unprotected.
unverified · Source version 87186 · locator unknown
From USCIS data captured September 8, 2026 Renewal 3.5 – 6.5 months Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before May 26, 2026.
verified · Source version 74721 · locator 960
Virginia DACA recipients are facing months-long renewal delays that are causing their work permits and deportation protections to expire while they await approval
verified · Source version 62804 · locator 3931
USCIS is ordered to adjudicate applications in the normal course of USCIS’ process.
unverified · Source version 87184 · locator unknown
To reduce these disruptions and risks for DACA recipients, we urge you to reduce processing times for DACA renewal applications and reduce the volume of pending cases through timely renewals.
verified · Source version 87186 · locator 5083
Per USCIS data captured October 5, 2026, I-821D at Service Center Operations (SCOPS) takes 3.5 – 7 months (80% of cases complete within that time).
verified · Source version 87188 · locator 9429
This time, wait times have exceeded four months since June, and have yet to peak.
verified · Source version 87190 · locator 3962
There are currently 125,282 pending DACA renewal applications – the highest number ever.
unverified · Source version 87192 · locator unknown
We strongly encourage you to submit your DACA renewal request between 120 and 150 days (4 to 5 months) before the expiration date located on your current Form I-797 DACA approval notice and EAD.
unverified · Source version 62808 · locator unknown
I-821D | Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals | Request for Renewal of Deferred Action | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 3.7
Assessments
This promise was framed as an oversight action: urging DHS/USCIS to speed up DACA renewals and cut the backlog. In office as a U.S. senator, Cortez Masto documented that effort through a USCIS inquiry in 2024, a March 17, 2026 letter she co-led to DHS and USCIS demanding reduced delays, and an April 3, 2026 public press push for immediate action. The backlog itself appears to have remained severe, but for a federal senator the relevant delivery standard here is whether she used her office to press the agency, not whether she could unilaterally force USCIS to comply. On that standard, the promise was fulfilled during the same term.
Senator Cortez Masto fulfilled the oversight and advocacy aspects of her promise by repeatedly urging DHS to reduce DACA renewal processing times—via a co-led Senate letter, public press calls, and direct inquiries resulting in DHS/USCIS engagement and responses. However, available evidence does not confirm that DHS actually reduced processing times or demonstrably cleared the backlog as a direct result of her actions; thus, the substantive policy outcome remains unverified.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reduce DACA renewal processing times and the volume of pending cases through multiple legislative and advocacy actions. Evidence shows she co-led a formal Senate letter to DHS, participated in a press call demanding accelerated action, and received agency responses to her inquiries on processing times. These public efforts directly fulfill her promise to urge DHS on these issues. However, the claim is about advocacy and urging, not achieving a concrete policy result, and thus the bar for delivery is satisfied by her documented efforts within the same term.