Why Is My DACA Renewal Taking So Long? What You Need to Know About Biometrics and Delays in Minnesota
- Santiago Legal LLC
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Some DACA recipients in Minnesota continue to experience delays related to renewals, biometrics, and USCIS processing times. In cities such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, and other Twin Cities areas with significant immigrant communities, many families are still waiting for updates related to work permits and active renewals.
Delays in DACA renewals can cause concern when work authorization is about to expire or when USCIS takes longer than usual to respond. Currently, USCIS continues to accept DACA renewals, although processing times may vary depending on the case and the processing center handling the application.
Yes, some DACA renewals are taking longer than usual due to USCIS delays, biometric processing, and a backlog of cases. In Minnesota, many people are still waiting for answers regarding work permits, biometric appointments, and active renewals.
In this article you will find:
Resources for DACA recipients in Minnesota
Frequently Asked Questions about DACA
What is DACA and how does it currently work?
DACA is an immigration program for certain individuals who came to the United States as children and meet requirements established by USCIS. The program allows some immigrants to remain in the country temporarily and apply for work authorization while the benefit remains active through periodic renewals.
Currently, DACA allows certain applicants to:
Receive temporary protection from deportation
Apply for a work permit
Renew the benefit for specific periods
Maintain deferred immigration status while the case remains active
Today, DACA continues to operate primarily through renewals for people who already have the benefit, although some renewals have been delayed and initial applications remain limited due to federal court decisions related to the program.
For many immigrant families in Minnesota, DACA continues to have a significant impact on employment, economic stability, and immigration status. Therefore, processing delays can directly affect the daily lives of those who depend on the program.
What's Happening with DACA Renewals?
Some DACA renewals continue to experience delays that can significantly extend waiting times for a response or to renew work permits.
USCIS continues to accept and process renewals, but processing times may vary depending on:
The center handling the case
The current workload
The number of pending applications
Additional requests for evidence
Biometric processing
This has led to some people remaining on standby, waiting for a response close to the expiration date of their work permits.
In addition, in some cases USCIS still requests biometrics as part of the process, while in others it reuses previous biometric information. Initial DACA applications continue to be accepted by USCIS, although they are not currently being processed due to federal court orders that limit the program for new applicants.
Why is USCIS taking longer to process DACA renewals?
Delays in DACA renewals can occur for various reasons related to case volume, internal reviews, and biometric processes.
Data published by AP News, based on information from USCIS, showed that between October 2025 and February 2026, some renewals went from approximately 15 days of waiting to nearly 70 days. By April 2026, USCIS was reporting wait times of nearly 122 days for certain DACA renewals.
In our experience working with immigrants and families in Minnesota, we have seen situations where:
USCIS requests additional information
Biometric appointments are being scheduled later than usual.
The cases remain without visible updates for months.
Work permits are nearing their expiration date before a response is received
Not all cases are affected in the same way. Some people continue to receive approvals within relatively normal timeframes, while others experience prolonged delays.
What Can Happen if Your Work Permit Is Delayed?
When a DACA renewal takes longer than expected, problems may arise related to:
Job continuity
Licenses or documentation
Job renewal
Family financial security
Access to certain benefits or identifications
Among the most common situations during these delays are:
Work permits about to expire
Prolonged waits without a definitive answer
Delays related to biometrics
Additional requests for evidence
Lack of visible updates on USCIS
In areas such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, and other immigrant communities in Minnesota, these types of delays have generated concern for many families who rely on work permits to maintain economic stability.
What to do if your DACA case hasn't been updated for months?
If your DACA renewal has been pending for several months with no visible changes at USCIS, it may be important to check:
If there were requests for evidence
Biometric-related problems
Changes of direction
Errors in notifications
Processing center delays
It can also be helpful to seek legal guidance if your work permit is about to expire or if you have questions related to your immigration history.
Are they still requiring biometrics to renew DACA?
Yes. In some cases, USCIS may still request biometric appointments during the DACA renewal process.
However, in other scenarios, USCIS may reuse previous biometric information depending on the applicant's history and the type of case processing.
If USCIS schedules a biometric appointment, it is important to:
Confirm the date and location in advance.
Bring valid identification documents
Check your email and notifications regularly
Follow the instructions indicated in the biometric notice.
Missing a biometric appointment without properly rescheduling it can cause additional delays or affect the case.
How to Prepare Before Renewing DACA?
Preparing well in advance can help reduce problems during the renewal process, especially when there are delays related to processing times or biometrics.
Some important measures include:
Check the expiration date of your DACA and work permit
Save copies of previous forms and approvals
Check for pending notifications from USCIS
Keep your address updated
Review current processing times
Seek legal help if there have been recent immigration or criminal changes
USCIS generally recommends submitting renewals between 120 and 150 days before the benefit and work permit expiration date.
As NILC mentions, renewing “as early as possible” can help avoid delays and additional problems during the process.
Resources for DACA Recipients in Minnesota
In Minnesota, there are community organizations and resources that offer information and support for DACA recipients and immigrant families.
Organizations like the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) have:
Educational materials
Legal guidance
Information about renewals
Community migration resources
These resources are typically available in Twin Cities and other communities throughout the state, including:
Rochester
St. Cloud
Worthington
Brooklyn Park
Bloomington
Among the topics that these organizations typically address are:
DACA renewals
Work permits
Biometrics
Case follow-up
USCIS Notifications
Basic immigration rights
Do you need help with your DACA renewal in Minnesota?
At Santiago Legal LLC, we work with immigrants and families in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout Minnesota who are looking to better understand their immigration options related to DACA, work permits, and USCIS processes.
If your work permit is about to expire, you have questions about biometrics, or you need guidance on your DACA renewal, acting early can help you prepare better and make clearer decisions.
Karla Santiago-Rodriguez, Esq. Immigration Attorney. Admitted to the bar in 2010, with a practice focused on immigration since 2020.
Sources and references:
Frequently Asked Questions About DACA
Are DACA renewals still available?
Yes. USCIS continues to accept and process renewals for people who currently have DACA or previously had it. Initial applications remain limited by federal court decisions.
What happens if my work permit expires before I receive a response?
In some cases, people may continue waiting for a response even when their work permit is about to expire or has already expired. That's why it's recommended to start the renewal process well in advance.
Is USCIS reusing biometrics for DACA?
Yes, in some cases USCIS may reuse previous biometric information. However, certain individuals may still receive new biometric appointments depending on the case.
How can I check the status of my DACA case?
You can check the status of your case directly on the official USCIS portal using the receipt number that appears on your application notifications.
How far in advance should I renew DACA?
USCIS generally recommends submitting the renewal between 120 and 150 days before the DACA and work permit expiration date.
What happens if I miss my biometric appointment?
USCIS may consider an application abandoned if an applicant fails to attend biometrics and is unable to reschedule the appointment. If you are unable to attend, it is important to follow the instructions in the biometrics notice as soon as possible.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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