Immigrant families in Minneapolis are reporting financial difficulties in renewing their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status following a period of federal enforcement activity. According to community members and local advocates, dozens of recipients, particularly single mothers, are struggling to afford the $555 application fee and associated legal costs after losing months of income.
The financial strain follows "Operation Metro Surge," an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiative in early 2026. Residents reported remaining in their homes for months to avoid contact with federal agents, which resulted in the loss of wages and the exhaustion of personal savings. During this time, many relied on local mutual aid networks for essential supplies like groceries and diapers.
Advocates in Minneapolis report that at least 52 individuals have requested financial assistance specifically for DACA renewals in recent weeks. Without valid work authorizations, these individuals face barriers to stable employment, which complicates their efforts to recover from recent financial losses.
The DACA program, which provides temporary protection from deportation and work permits to eligible immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children, requires renewal every two years. While federal agents began withdrawing from the city in April, the economic effects of the preceding months continue to impact the ability of some residents to maintain their legal standing.