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Green Card, Visa Delays Worsen as US Backlog Breaks Records

Green Card, Visa Delays Worsen as US Backlog Breaks Records

Newsweek5 days ago
The U.S. immigration system is under growing strain, with the backlog of pending applications reaching an all-time high of 11.3 million, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The slowdown in processing and rising delays are leaving millions of applicants in a state of legal and personal limbo.
What To Know:
The USCIS backlog now stands at 11.3 million pending immigration cases. The highest number ever recorded. Only 2.7 million cases completed in Q2 FY2025. A significant drop in throughput compared to previous quarters. Over 34,000 unopened cases remain in the system. Marking the return of a "frontlog" not seen since fiscal year 2024. Green card replacement delays worsen. Form I-90 processing times have increased dramatically, now taking over eight months to complete. Work permit (Form I-765) delays continue to grow. The number of pending applications has more than doubled since the previous quarter. Employment-based visa processing slows. Form I-129 delays are affecting H-1B and L-1 visa applicants. Automation efforts paused. USCIS suspended its Streamlined Case Processing program, which contributed to slower approval times. Advance parole (Form I-131) backlog shows some improvement. One of the few categories to see a reduction in pending cases.
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