Coachella Valley DACA Recipients Face Uncertainty Amid Delayed Renewals

For one Coachella Valley resident and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, the last six months have been filled with uncertainty, fear, and anxiety.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, came to the United States from Mexico when she was just five years old alongside her mother, fleeing what she described as a life-threatening situation. Now, after building her life in the U.S., she fears everything she has worked for could be at risk.

She says she submitted her DACA renewal application in December, but six months later, she is still waiting for approval. In the meantime, her work permit has expired — leaving her unable to legally work and support her family.

Immigration advocates say her story is becoming increasingly common as DACA recipients across the country face longer-than-usual renewal processing times.

According to Luz Gallegos, director of the TODEC Legal Center, delays in approvals are creating serious consequences for recipients who depend on their legal status and work authorization to maintain employment and stability.

The DACA program protects undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children from deportation while also allowing them to legally work in the country. However, recipients must continually renew their status. Without an approved renewal, beneficiaries can lose work authorization and may face heightened risk of deportation, even if their applications are still pending.

In response to growing concerns, the TODEC Legal Center, alongside local state representatives, recently hosted a “Know Your Rights” workshop tailored specifically for DACA recipients. The event aimed to educate attendees about their legal rights, potential risks, and available resources while waiting for application decisions.

Dr. Frank Figueroa, mayor of Coachella, also attended the workshop, saying the issue impacts many families throughout the community and hits close to home for residents in the eastern Coachella Valley.

NBC Palm Springs reached out to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding the increase in DACA processing times over the past year, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Meanwhile, for DACA recipients still waiting for approvals, uncertainty continues to grow as the clock ticks.

Local immigration attorneys advise applicants to stay informed about their rights and risks while their renewals remain pending, noting that every case can vary depending on individual circumstances.