DACA Accepts New Applications But Can't Process Them

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program remains at the center of intense legal and political debate as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced in October 2025 that it is once again accepting new initial applications, though it cannot process or approve them under current court orders. This development represents a potentially significant turning point in the ongoing litigation surrounding the program that protects undocumented individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children, often called "Dreamers." The announcement comes amid a complex legal landscape where renewal applications for current DACA recipients continue to be processed nationwide, while new applications are being accepted but placed on hold pending further court direction. This "accept but don't process" approach stems directly from an injunction still in place under the Texas court order, leaving thousands of potential applicants in legal limbo.

The legal battle over DACA has been ongoing since its establishment in 2012, with recent court challenges in the Southern District of Texas and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals finding that the program was not lawfully implemented. In January 2025, the Fifth Circuit struck down key portions of the Biden Administration's DACA regulation but stopped short of completely ending the program. As many applicants seek clarity on their options, working with an experienced immigration lawyer Los Angeles, CA can provide crucial insight into how these developments may affect both pending and future filings. The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security have asked the court to allow adjudication of new DACA applications outside Texas, arguing that Dreamers nationwide should not be penalized by a geographically limited ruling, though this proposal remains pending before Judge Andrew Hanen.

Looking ahead, legal analysts expect the case will likely return to the U.S. Supreme Court for a final decision on DACA's future in 2026. For those pursuing long-term legal status or naturalization, consulting a knowledgeable citizenship lawyer Los Angeles, CA may help identify alternative immigration pathways while the courts continue to deliberate. The Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, a trusted immigration law firm based in Los Angeles, emphasizes the importance of professional guidance during this uncertain period, as the program's future hangs in the balance between judicial rulings and administrative actions that could affect hundreds of thousands of young immigrants across the United States.