US Immigration Backlog Hits Record 11.3 Million Cases: Delays for Indians and Green Card Applicants

The US immigration backlog has hit a record 11.3 million cases, with processing times worsening under the Trump administration. Indians, already waiting years for a US green card, may face even longer delays. Key immigration forms, including the I-90 green card replacement and I-765 employment authorisation, are experiencing significant delays, with the average wait time for I-90 jumping 938% in just one quarter.

The US immigration backlog has reached an unprecedented 11.3 million cases, according to data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) portal [1]. This record-high backlog is a result of a surge of 1.6 million cases in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, which saw USCIS process only 2.7 million cases compared to 3.3 million during the same period last year [1].

The backlog is particularly concerning for Indian nationals seeking US green cards, as the per-country limits for green cards have already led to long wait times. The median processing time for Form I-129, used for H-1B and L-1 employment-based visas, has increased by 25% from the previous quarter and 80% year-on-year [1]. The wait time for Form I-90, used for green card replacements, has surged from 0.8 months to over 8 months, marking a 938% increase [1].

The delays are having significant impacts on foreign workers and employers. Blake Miller, partner at Fragomen, a US-based immigration law firm, noted that the delays can cause uncertainty for employers around their workforce and for visa holders' ongoing employment and lawful immigration status [1]. Charles Kuck, founding partner at Kuck Baxter in Atlanta, emphasized that the delays affect both first-time petitions and extensions, creating uncertainty for employers and foreign workers alike [1].

Michael Wildes, managing partner at WILDES & WEINBERG PC, attributed the growing backlog to a mix of policy choices, including staff reductions at USCIS and the administration's efforts to find fraud in every application, which has slowed down processing times [1]. He also noted that the backlog is driven by a combination of insufficient staffing, outdated processing systems, and inconsistent policy shifts that strain agency resources [1].

Some applicants are choosing to pay extra for premium processing, but this may not be enough to mitigate the delays. Wildes suggested exploring multiple pathways for those with flexibility, including consular routes or alternate visa categories [1]. Kuck advised Indian applicants to be prepared for long delays and to work with experienced lawyers [1].

The backlog is expected to persist under the current administration, with Kuck predicting that the immigration system will effectively not exist by the end of the Trump term [1]. The growing backlog underscores the need for increased staffing, technological efficiency, and congressional support to address the issue.

References:
[1] Surbhi Gloria Singh. (2025, July 14). US visa backlog hits record 11.3 million under Trump administration, delays ripple through Indian applicants. Business Standard. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/immigration/11-million-us-visa-backlog-crushes-indian-h-1b-green-card-dreams-decoded-125071400434_1.html