Latest news with #USCIS
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Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
US immigration backlog tops 11 million as Trump slows USCIS processing
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processed fewer immigration cases and recorded a backlog surge in the second quarter of FY2025 (January–March), according to new data published on the agency's portal. This is the first major dataset released since the Trump administration returned to office. USCIS completed 2.7 million cases during the quarter—down 18 per cent compared to the same period in FY2024, when it had processed 3.3 million cases. From the previous quarter alone, completions dropped by 12 per cent. Meanwhile, pending cases climbed by 1.6 million, pushing the total backlog to a record 11.3 million. The last time pending cases came close to this number was over a decade ago. More than 34,000 cases unopened For the first time in over a year, the agency recorded a non-zero 'frontlog'—cases that are yet to be opened or assigned. As of the end of Q2, over 34,000 such cases were pending at the front of the pipeline. The data showed that this slowdown is already affecting key immigration services. < Form I-129, used for employment-based temporary visas including H-1B and L-1, saw a 25 per cent increase in median processing time quarter-on-quarter, and an 80 per cent rise compared to Q2 FY2024. < Form I-90, used to replace green cards, saw the sharpest jump: from a median wait time of 0.8 months to over 8 months—a 938 per cent increase within just one quarter. < Form I-765, for work permits, had its own crunch. Initial applications pending rose by 87 per cent since Q1. The total number of pending I-765s (including renewals and replacements) crossed 2 million, nearly doubling from under 1.2 million. The net backlog—cases delayed beyond USCIS standards for Form I-765 alone went up by nearly 181 per cent. One category, however, moved faster. The net backlog of I-129s dropped by nearly 75 per cent from the previous quarter, although the number of individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme continued to decline, falling by over 8,000. 'We will pine for a functioning system' Charles Kuck, founding partner at immigration law firm Kuck Baxter in Atlanta, said the shift was expected. 'The Trump administration has told USCIS to slow down processing of cases. Predictably, the system has quickly developed massive backlogs. By the end of 2028, we will pine for the days of a functioning legal immigration system because it will effectively not exist by the end of the Trump term,' Kuck told Newsweek. He added that the growth in backlog was '100 per cent predictable' given the new approach. 'Starting with the staff reductions ordered at the USCIS (which is funded by user fees, not tax dollars). Followed by seeking 'volunteers' from USCIS to assist ICE in enforcement efforts. Which then leads to the administration's effort to find fraud in every application, slowing down processing times,' said Kuck.
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- General
- Newsweek
Green Card Holders Face Major Immigration Backlog: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. immigration system has faced growing strain, with a 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 have left millions of applicants in a state of legal and personal limbo, and green card replacement delays have added to the frustration. Form I‑90 processing times have increased dramatically, now taking more than eight months to complete. Despite this surge in wait times, experts say green card holders should not panic. "While it may be surprising, from a legal and practical perspective, the sharp increase in Form I-90 processing times is not of concern. There is already a policy fix in place," Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek. An information packet and an American flag are placed on a chair before the start of a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Miami Field Office, Friday, August 17, 2018, in Miami.... An information packet and an American flag are placed on a chair before the start of a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Miami Field Office, Friday, August 17, 2018, in Miami. More Wilfredo Lee/AP When a lawful permanent resident files a Form I‑90 to renew an expiring green card, USCIS immediately issues a receipt notice, which automatically extends the validity of the expired card for 48 months. "Presenting the expired green card alongside the receipt notice is legally equivalent to having an unexpired green card. The receipt notice itself includes language explaining that it extends the green card, so there should not be confusion on the part of employers, airlines, or others. "An expired green card does not mean an expired status." USCIS has long acknowledged that it prioritizes applications that impact an individual's immigration status more directly, diverting resources away from lower-risk tasks like card renewals. Still, for the millions caught in the backlog, the key is understanding that status remains intact, and the paperwork, though delayed, does not affect the right to live and work in the U.S. If green card holders need to prove their status to employers, airlines, or immigration officers while waiting for their new card, the receipt notice plus the expired card is fully valid. Those without either document can request an ADIT (I‑551) stamp at a local USCIS office, which serves as temporary proof of permanent residency for work, travel, or reentry to the country. "This is somewhat similar to a US citizen whose status remains unchanged even if they don't have a valid passport. We can think of it like an expired passport—you are still a citizen," Bailey said. While the backlog highlights wider strains in the immigration system, experts stress that understanding the protections in place can help green card holders avoid unnecessary worry—and stay legally covered until their new card arrives. "The filing of the Form I-90 does not actually confer an immigration benefit—it simply updates the physical proof of the individual's status. Permanent resident status doesn't expire, even if the card does—and is only lost through formal government action," Bailey said. The Trump administration has revoked visas and green cards of foreign students that they have alleged are connected to pro-Hamas activities. This includes participating in campus protests and distributing materials, such as flyers. The moves come amid an aggressive deportation agenda after President Donald Trump directed his administration to remove millions of undocumented immigrants as part of a hard line mass removal policy. Beyond targeting those without legal status, immigrants with valid visas and green cards have also faced detention under the government's sweeping enforcement operations. Newsweek has documented numerous cases involving green-card holders and applicants being caught up in the immigration raids.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Worrisome': US visa delays hit all-time high, 11.3 million cases pending
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is struggling to keep up with a piling number of immigration cases, reaching an all-time high of 11.3 million pending applications. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Immigration attorneys said the Trump administration's efforts to find fraudulent cases have set back the pace of the process and resulted in 'massive backlogs' across an immigration system that is already grappling with a growing number of cases, as reported by Newsweek. The data from USCIS from January to March indicates that, with backlogs growing in number every quarter, certain immigration categories are going through worsening delays as processing times are stretched. Applicants have to wait for months or even years in the end. Charles Kuck, the founding partner at Kuck Baxter in Atlanta, told Newsweek, 'The Trump administration has told USCIS to slow down processing of cases. Predictably, the system has quickly developed massive backlogs. By the end of 2028, we will pine for the days of a functioning legal immigration system because it will effectively not exist by the end of the Trump term." USCIS is funded solely by fees from immigrants applying for services like green cards and work permits. For years, reports have pointed to problems with this model, including ongoing staffing shortages that cause long delays. Processing times for Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) and Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization, with the EAD card issued via Form I-766) have risen compared to the previous quarter. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This increase is partly due to USCIS suspending its Streamlined Case Processing (SCP) program, an automated system that sped up approvals without officer review. The suspension aims to allow for more thorough vetting, though no timeline has been set for reinstating the program. Certain categories, however, have shown signs of improvement with the backlog of Form 1-131 (advance parole application) reduced by almost 60,000 cases this fiscal year, but 260,000 cases are still pending. "It is still early to draw firm conclusions from the data, as processing trends may shift based on staffing, litigation, or new policy guidance. However, outside the boundaries of congressional mandates or statutory requirements, what may appear to be backlogs may be better described as policy choices," Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayor Brown and former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Why are US visa and Green Card applications delayed? Immigration system under growing strain
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that only 2.7 million immigration cases have been processed in the second quarter of FY2025, marking an 18% year-on-year drop and a 12% slip from the previous quarter, reported Financial Express. US immigration system under increasing strain with visa, Green Card delays (Unsplash - representational image) From green cards to work permits, applicants across categories are surely in a limbo right now. The sharp slowdown signals not just bureaucratic delays but also rising human stakes in an already shaken immigration landscape. What we know The situation has affected over 34,000 immigration cases, which remain untouched, reported Newsweek. That's not it, as processing times for green card replacements (Form I-90) have ballooned to over eight months, leaving thousands of lawful permanent residents without valid documentation. Meanwhile, delays for work permits (Form I-765) have more than doubled in just one quarter, affecting immigrants' ability to legally earn a living and placing additional strain on employers and families alike, the report added. Even the employment-based visa space is struggling to keep up. Form I-129 delays are slowing down the approval of H-1B and L-1 visas, leading to both skilled workers and companies who are depending on them. To make matters worse, USCIS has paused its Streamlined Case Processing program, halting a key automation effort that once sped up simpler cases. This has led to a ripple effect: slower approvals, fewer decisions and growing uncertainty. Also, to note, the advance parole applications (Form I-131) are a rare exception. Indeed, for immigrants, the consequences aren't just bureaucratic—they're deeply personal, affecting everything from their work and travel to safety and stability. FAQs Why are US immigration delays worsening in 2025? USCIS is facing record backlogs and has paused automation. Which immigration forms are hit hardest by the slowdown? Forms I-90, I-765 and I-129 are seeing the longest processing delays this quarter. immigration category seen improvement this quarter? As per data, advance parole applications (Form I-131) saw a slight reduction in pending cases.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
US Green Card chaos: Immigration backlog hits record 11.3 million - thousands left in limbo
Green card delays and visa backlog 2025 have hit record highs as USCIS backlog crosses 11.3 million pending cases, creating massive wait times and uncertainty for millions. Processing of green card applications, work permits, and employment-based visas has slowed drastically, with I-90 and I-765 forms now taking months longer. USCIS has paused automation efforts, adding to the delays. Meanwhile, lawsuits, federal subpoenas, and protests are erupting nationwide over immigration enforcement and detentions. From Harvard's student visa probe to ICE arrests during interviews, the crisis is intensifying. Read how these immigration delays are affecting real people and legal rights today. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is the USCIS backlog hitting record highs in 2025? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who's being hit hardest by the green card processing crisis? Employment-based green card seekers – Especially from India and China, some are stuck waiting decades due to outdated per-country quotas . – Especially from India and China, some are stuck waiting due to outdated . Refugees and asylees – Thousands are stranded due to paused processing policies carried over from the Trump administration. – Thousands are stranded due to carried over from the Trump administration. Family-sponsored applicants – Many are waiting 10+ years due to preference category limits and country-specific backlogs. – Many are waiting due to preference category limits and country-specific backlogs. H-1B & H-4 visa holders – Many are living and working in the U.S. with no clear path forward, risking out-of-status scenarios. What's causing the record 11.3 million immigration backlog? 1. Understaffing and underfunding at USCIS 2. Legacy Trump policies still in effect 3. Surging applications post-COVID 4. Per-country visa caps Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How long are green card and work permit delays taking now? Indian nationals (EB-2 and EB-3) : Up to 80 years in some worst-case projections : Up to in some worst-case projections Chinese professionals : Often waiting 20–25 years : Often waiting Family-sponsored applicants from Mexico or the Philippines : Waiting 10–15 years : Waiting Asylees/refugees: Processing largely suspended as of 2025 What's happening with advance parole and other relief categories? What's being done to fix the U.S. green card backlog? Visa Recapture Eliminate per-country caps Increase USCIS funding Reopen closed streams What are the real-life consequences of the green card backlog? Travel internationally without risking re-entry Change jobs or employers Sponsor spouses or children Buy homes or make long-term investments Will immigration delays worsen before they improve? Why did DHS issue subpoenas to Harvard over visa program violations? Why is Los Angeles suing to stop federal immigration raids? Who else is caught up in this growing immigration crisis? Mandonna Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian mother living in New Orleans for 47 years, was detained by ICE while gardening. She was later released after intervention by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who said DHS needed to take a second look. Mario Guevara, a journalist from El Salvador, remains in ICE custody despite being granted bond by a judge. His arrest during a protest livestream has drawn national concern over press freedom and alleged retaliation by ICE. Cynthia Olivera, a Canadian immigrant married to a U.S. citizen and mother of three, was arrested during her green card interview. Her husband, a Trump voter, said: 'We feel blindsided. I want my vote back.' ICE says her previous deportation and illegal reentry made her subject to arrest. What's next for immigration reform amid protests and lawsuits? What does this mean for immigrants now? FAQs: United States is experiencing a historic immigration logjam, with the green card backlog ballooning to 11.3 million cases by the second quarter of FY2025. That figure, confirmed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), marks the largest pending case load in American immigration backlog includes visa applications, asylum claims, green card renewals, and work permit requests. Only 2.7 million cases were processed during Q2, meaning more than 8.6 million applicants remain in bureaucratic shockingly, over 34,000 applications haven't even been opened yet—stuck in physical mailrooms without digital entry into the USCIS backlog hitting 11.3 million signals a serious strain on the agency's resources. That number includes all pending forms—from green card applications (Form I-485) and work permits (Form I-765) to travel documents (Form I-131) and employment-based visa forms like Q2 of FY2025, USCIS completed just 2.7 million cases, a significant drop compared to prior quarters. Officials haven't provided a full explanation for the lag, but the suspension of the Streamlined Case Processing program has undoubtedly slowed things down. This program was originally launched to accelerate lower-risk applications but has now been paused over 34,000 unopened applications have created a 'frontlog'—a queue of cases that haven't even been entered into the system yet. This marks the return of a problem USCIS previously said it had resolved in delays aren't affecting everyone equally. Here's a breakdown of the groups suffering the most:The causes are layered and systemic. Here's what's driving the gridlock:USCIS has been operating withfor years. Despite record case loads, hiring has, leading to processing delays across all case immigration categories, especially those for, wereor severely restricted during Trump's presidency. Some of those shutdowns haven't been reversed in demand from the COVID years has resulted in an, especially for family reunification and employment-based Immigration and Nationality Act limits green cards to—which disproportionately affectslike India and for essential immigration documents are getting worse. The Form I-90, used for green card replacements, now takes more than eight months to process—far longer than the average wait time of four to six months seen in prior permits, particularly Form I-765, are also seeing mounting delays. Pending applications have more than doubled since the last quarter. These permits are vital for immigrants who need legal authorization to work while awaiting their green cards or other backlog in Form I-129 applications is directly impacting employment-based visa holders—especially H-1B and L-1 applicants—causing job losses, visa expirations, and anxiety for employers and foreign professionals on the applicant's category and country of origin, green card wait times vary drastically:These long waits are not just a paperwork issue—they disruptNot all news is bad. One bright spot is the Advance Parole (Form I-131) category, which saw a slight reduction in pending cases in recent months. Advance parole allows immigrants to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad while waiting for their green card or asylum decisions. Though still slow, this is one of the few areas showing overall, the immigration system continues to struggle with severe delays, which is creating ripple effects in legal, employment, and humanitarian proposals and policy ideas are circulating, but few have gained real traction:Millions of green cards godue to administrative delays. Immigration advocates are pushing Congress to 'recapture' these unused visas and apply them to today's like the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act aim to remove or raise the per-country cap, allowing fairer distribution and shorter wait money for staffing, tech upgrades, and infrastructure could help the agency speed up case suspended categories like refugee and asylum green card pipelines would provide relief to the most the numbers are. Many immigrants stuck in this limbo are unable to:A recent documentary, "Broken System," by filmmaker Shalini Kantayya shows the toll of the backlog on, particularlywho have lived in the U.S. for over a decade but remain 'temporary' on of mid-2025, immigration experts sayunless urgent reforms are passed. With, immigration policy has again shifted toward, not backlog major legislative or executive action occurs, themay be just the beginning of a much larger crisis in legal to the chaos, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) escalated its conflict with Harvard University by issuing administrative subpoenas related to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). DHS claims Harvard repeatedly ignored requests for information and failed to prevent students from allegedly misusing their visas to promote violent McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said bluntly: 'We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard. Now... we have to do things the hard way.'The subpoenas demand access to records, emails, and communications dating back to January 1, Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has joined a growing class-action lawsuit to block federal immigration raids, calling them unconstitutional and reckless. The lawsuit, Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem, accuses ICE of racially profiling immigrants, detaining people in inhumane conditions, and violating their legal ACLU of California and Public Counsel are leading the legal fight, saying ICE operations are targeting people with 'brown skin' and denying them legal counsel. DHS has rejected the allegations, calling them "disgusting and categorically false."Mayor Bass emphasized: 'We will not be intimidated... Los Angeles is taking a stand for American values.'Several recent cases illustrate how the immigration crackdown is affecting lives:Nationwide protests are planned on July 17 under the banner 'Good Trouble Lives On', commemorating the late Rep. John Lewis and denouncing President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The demonstrations follow similar actions held on June 14 and over the Fourth of July weekend, which criticized ICE raids and new travel Iranian green card applicants have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing that national interest waivers under the travel ban are being denied without reason. The State Department has declined to comment on ongoing immigration delays and visa backlog aren't just statistics—they're disrupting lives, careers, families, and basic rights. As the green card delays worsen, and visa processing slows, the pressure is mounting for a more transparent, fair, and functional lawsuits and subpoenas to protests and personal tragedies, the immigration debate in 2025 is unfolding across courtrooms, campuses, and communities—and it's far from card delays are rising due to USCIS backlog, automation pauses, and processing visa backlog is caused by record-high pending cases, limited resources, and policy changes.
