Bennet, Neguse, Colorado Democrats Demand Answers on DACA Renewal Backlog

 Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls, and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here . M About About Michael Legislation News Press Releases Social Media Newsletter Archive Services Priorities Top Issues Child Tax Credit Investing in Colorado Contact Map Español Acerca de Michael Escribe a Michael Prioridades Servicios Visitando D.C. Bennet, Neguse, Colorado Democrats Demand Answers on DACA Renewal Backlog Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse led the state’s Democratic Congressional delegation – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen – in demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to immediately expedite Deferred Action […] Jun 18, 2026 | Press Releases Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse led the state’s Democratic Congressional delegation – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen – in demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to immediately expedite Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications for Coloradans currently in limbo. Colorado is home to more than 12,000 DACA recipients. Under the Trump Administration, USCIS review of DACA applications has dramatically slowed, with wait times for renewal applications increasing from 15 days in Fiscal Year 2025 to more than two months in Fiscal Year 2026. That’s a 360% increase in processing times in just the first five months of the fiscal year. These delays are causing job losses and workforce disruptions, as DACA recipients are left without valid work permits through no fault of their own. “We write to express our deep concerns about the growing backlog of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications for hundreds of Coloradans that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not yet processed…Colorado is home to over 12,000 DACA recipients. They are Americans in every way but their immigration status. Many only know this country as their home, and they contribute to this nation by paying taxes and serving in critical roles, such as police officers, teachers, and nurses. Our constituent services teams regularly hear from hardworking Coloradans concerned about the status of their renewal applications and the threat that the ongoing delays pose to their families,” wrote the Colorado lawmakers. For 14 years, DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers, have strengthened communities across the country, fueled the economy, and built lives in the United States. 87% of DACA recipients nationwide are in the workforce, and they contribute approximately $17 billion annually to the economy. Across Colorado, Dreamers are pillars of their communities. “The USCIS backlog of DACA renewal requests is hurting many students, health care workers, first responders, law enforcement officers, and wildland firefighters during what is expected to be a severe wildfire season. These DACA recipients are pillars of their communities, and their lives are now on hold while their DACA renewal applications remain pending with USCIS. These delays affect not only DACA recipients themselves, but all Coloradans,” continued the Colorado lawmakers. The state’s Democratic congressional delegation closed their letter by reiterating their call for the agencies to streamline processing and seeking answers regarding any changes in policy or procedure that may be contributing to delays, as well as the extent to which immigration enforcement actions have the ability to effect these individuals. Bennet has consistently fought to protect DACA recipients and ensure they can continue to build their futures in the only country they ever called home. This month, Bennet joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) as well as U.S. Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) and Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) in leading over 50 colleagues to press Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)’s recent decision to weaken legal protections for DACA recipients. In May 2026, Bennet introduced three bills which target critical reforms at DHS, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP); the Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act; the Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act; and the Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act. In March 2026, Benn