US Immigration Processing Times Double as Backlogs Grow
US immigration processing times are rising sharply, with citizenship waits reaching 10.7 months and Green Card cases taking longer to process.
US Immigration Wait Times Surge as Cases Face Years of Delays
US immigration applicants are facing significantly longer waits, with some US Immigration Processing Times doubling over the past two years, according to USCIS data. The delays are affecting citizenship applications, Green Card cases and other routine immigration processes.
Immigration attorney Ian Rochstein said his firm has cases filed in 2024 that are still awaiting updates, highlighting the growing USCIS processing backlog.
Citizenship Wait Times Rise to 10.7 Months
USCIS data shows the extent of the slowdown:
- Citizenship applications took an average of 6.6 months in January 2024.
- By June 2026, the average wait had increased to 10.7 months.
- Green Card applications sponsored by immediate relatives have increased by about 40% since 2021.
- Cases that previously took six to eight months are now facing substantially longer waits.
Green Card Applicants Face More Uncertainty
The growing Green Card backlog is creating additional uncertainty for people seeking US permanent residency.
According to Rochstein, some applicants have cases filed as far back as 2024 without updates. He also noted that applicants waiting for Green Card decisions can remain vulnerable to immigration enforcement while their cases are pending.
Denver is among the locations reported to have some of the longest processing times, although the reason for the regional differences remains unclear.
Could Processing Times Get Worse?
The current delays follow years of disruption, including the pandemic and earlier immigration processing slowdowns. Rochstein said processing times have continued to deteriorate during the second Trump administration and does not expect significant improvement soon.
For applicants pursuing a United States Green Card, citizenship or other immigration benefits, the rising immigration case backlog makes monitoring case status and planning ahead increasingly important.
Stay connected with Smart Immigrant for more updates on US immigration and policy changes.
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