USCIS Releases FY2026 First Quarter Data on Active DACA Population
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published its Fiscal Year 2026 first quarter statistical report on active Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. This provides the most current snapshot of the program as of December 31, 2025. According to the agency’s data release, 495,320 individuals currently hold active DACA status.
The report offers detailed demographic and geographic breakdowns, including country of birth, age, marital status, and state of residence. These figures help illustrate the scale, regional concentration, and workforce integration of DACA recipients across the United States.
National Demographic Overview of DACA Recipients
Predominance of Mexican-Born Recipients
The FY2026 Q1 data confirms that the DACA population remains overwhelmingly concentrated among individuals born in Mexico. Of the 495,320 active recipients, 402,860 were born in Mexico, representing approximately 81 percent of the total population. The next largest countries of birth are El Salvador, with 19,690 recipients, and Guatemala, with 13,360.
This concentration underscores the significant bilateral dimension of any policy developments affecting DACA. The program’s demographic footprint is heavily tied to U.S.–Mexico migration patterns.
Aging Workforce and Family Integration
The average age of active DACA recipients is now 31.9 years. The largest age group is individuals between 26 and 35 years old. This group accounts for 330,960 recipients, or roughly two-thirds of the total DACA population. These figures reflect that most recipients are no longer students or recent high school graduates. Instead, they are working-age adults with established roles in the labor market.
The data also indicates that 153,170 active DACA recipients are married. Given the age profile of the group, many recipients are also parents of U.S.-citizen children. As a result, any operational or policy changes affecting DACA have implications not only for individual status holders, but also for mixed-status households and broader family stability.
Geographic Concentration and State-Level Impact
California and Texas as Primary Hubs
The USCIS report shows a pronounced geographic concentration of DACA recipients in certain states. California and Texas together account for 221,060 active recipients, representing nearly 45 percent of the national total.
Los Angeles metropolitan area leads all regions, with 58,030 DACA recipients. In Texas, the Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston metropolitan areas collectively account for 51,950 recipients. This further reinforces Texas’ position as the second most concentrated state for DACA holders.
These figures demonstrate that for particular labor markets and local governments, DACA is a significant component of the working-age population. Employers, school systems, and healthcare providers in these regions routinely interact with individuals whose work authorization and presence in the United States depend on the continuation of deferred action. In addition, many depend on timely renewals.
Operational and Policy Context
DACA continues to operate within a complex litigation and policy environment. While new initial DACA applications remain limited by ongoing court orders, USCIS continues to process renewal requests for individuals who previously obtained deferred action. The FY2026 Q1 data reflects those individuals who hold active deferred action and work authorization as of the end of the first quarter.
For employers and HR professionals, the size and stability of the DACA workforce remain directly relevant to employment verification, workforce planning, and compliance. For immigration attorneys and accredited representatives, the report provides insight into renewal volumes. It also addresses potential agency workload considerations in upcoming quarters.
USCIS statistical releases such as the FY2026 Q1 report serve as an important reference point for understanding how the program functions in practice. They show how many individuals currently rely on deferred action and employment authorization. Moreover, the data points to where the program’s impact is most heavily concentrated across the United States.
