Why Some DACA Renewals Are Taking Longer — and What You Can Do

Many DACA recipients are noticing something frustrating: renewals of DACA are taking much longer than they used to. In the past, some people received approvals in just a few weeks. Now, it can take several months — or longer. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reports that most of their DACA renewal requests are taking 3.5 months.

Below is what we know about these delays, who may be affected, and what steps people can take.

Why Are DACA Renewals Taking Longer?

There are a few reasons why DACA renewals may be taking longer right now:

• Late filings: Some people did not apply early enough. USCIS recommends filing between 150 and 120 days before your current DACA expires. If you apply later than that, your options to follow up on the case may be limited.
• Biometrics (fingerprinting appointments) are back: USCIS has restarted biometric appointments. This adds extra time to the process because USCIS has to notify you of your scheduled date and time to go to an Application Support Center. Biometric appointments were paused during the pandemic.
• Extra review for some applicants: Some delayed cases are placed on hold because of the country where the applicant is originally from. Early estimates suggest 3,000 to 4,000 people could be affected, but this is not confirmed.

Which Requests are USCIS Giving Extra Review to and from Which Countries?

Most recently, there have been confirmed cases showing that USCIS is pausing processing DACA renewal requests for people who are nationals of certain countries listed in Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998.

Presidential Proclamation 10949 (issued in June 2025) restricts entry and visa issuances for people coming from certain countries. These are countries that the White House has determined does not screen, vet, or share information in a way that is satisfactory to the U.S. government.

Presidential Proclamation 10998 (issued in December 2025) expanded the list of countries.

USCIS issued memorandums following these proclamations in December 2025 and January 2026 telling USCIS personnel to place on hold all pending benefit applications from people who are from the listed countries while USCIS undergoes a comprehensive review process.

Some people are not being told that their case is on hold. Some people are finding out only after asking about their case through a congressional inquiry or a request for expedited processing. This has led to serious concerns, especially for people from countries listed in these Proclamations which include:

• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Cote d ‘Ivoire
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Myanmar
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Palestinian Authority
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tonga
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

NOTE: This list is different from the list of countries affected by the immigrant visa processing pause that the Department of State is carrying out. DACA requests should remain unaffected by the immigrant visa processing pause because DACA is not a type of visa and these requests go to USCIS, not the Department of State.

What Can You Do Right Now?

While there are no quick fixes, advocates are sharing the following guidance:

• Check your case status online and save copies of any updates.
• Follow steps in NILC and ILRC’s FAQ: Steps to Take If Your DACA Renewal is Delayed. If you did not apply at least 120 days before expiration, your options may be more limited.
• Contact your member of Congress and ask them to inquire about your case with USCIS on your behalf. Sharing your experience with members of Congress helps to show how widespread the issue is. It also highlights the urgency to process these requests before possible actions by the court or the administration affect the availability of DACA. To ask for help, go to the website for your member of Congress, and look under “Services” for the link to ask for help with a federal agency. Then complete the required forms. If you don’t hear back, you can call the member’s D.C. office and ask about the status of your request.
• Document everything: Keep records of timelines, notices, and how the delay is affecting you, such as losing your job.
• Learn about what options are available to you that you can discuss with your employer if your DACA and work permit are soon to expire. More information is explained in this NILC FAQ: DACA and Your Workplace Rights, which includes the option to take a leave of absence.

For now, the best advice is to plan ahead, stay informed, document your case, and seek support.

This blog provides general information. It is not legal advice. It is not tailored to your specific situation. Talk to an immigration lawyer for advice in your case.