August 21, 2026

On July 29, Rep. Scott Peters convened business, labor, and community leaders to urge the Trump Administration to process Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications in a timely manner. Delays at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have slowed renewal processing time to almost double what it used to be.  

Recent and proposed immigration policies have impacted the cost of healthcare, groceries, rent, and electricity. Renewal delays threaten the livelihoods of legal immigrants and put undue stress on businesses who are faced with uncertainty as their valued employees await decisions about their status. In San Diego alone, Dreamers, including DACA recipients, contribute $968 million annually to the local economy.

“Every day a DACA renewal sits in a backlog is a day a San Diego business risks losing one of its own employees,” said Chris Cate, Chamber President & CEO. “After more than a decade of temporary protections, it’s time for Congress to deliver a permanent, bipartisan solution that gives Dreamers the stability they deserve and gives San Diego employers the certainty they need.” 

“Nearly 9,000 DACA recipients call San Diego home. They work hard, pay taxes, and contribute tens of millions of dollars to our local economy every year. For many of them, the U.S. is the only home they’ve ever known,” Rep. Peters said. “I spoke out when Donald Trump attacked DACA the first time, but our work is not over. We need answers from this Administration about the never-ending delays at USCIS. How do they plan to address the backlog they created? Are DACA recipients being detained because of this lag?” 

DACA must be renewed every two years, and work authorizations cannot be renewed until DACA status is renewed.

A livestream recording of the press conference can be viewed here. Additional photos from the event, courtesy of the office of Rep. Scott Peters, can be viewed here.