US Immigration Backlog Hits Record High: What It Means for Indian Green Card Applicants

The US immigration backlog has hit a record 11.3 million pending cases as of March 2025, with 1.6 million new filings in just three months. Processing efficiency has sharply declined under the Trump administration, with experts citing deliberate slowdowns, insufficient staffing, and outdated systems. Key forms like I-765 and I-90 face severe delays, leaving Indian green card applicants and workers at risk of job losses and prolonged uncertainty. Legal counsel and preparation are now vital for navigating this worsening crisis.

The US is already dealing with a historic backlog of immigration cases, which means that millions of applicants, especially Indians, may have to wait even longer. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently released data showing that there were an unbelievable 11.3 million pending cases as of March 2025. This is the largest backlog ever reported. This increase includes 1.6 million additional cases filed between January and March of this year, which shows that the immigration processing issue is becoming worse.

USCIS only handled 2.7 million cases in the first quarter of 2025, a big drop from 3.3 million cases in the same time period previous year, even though the number of applications was growing. Case completions fell by 12% from the previous quarter, which is a bad sign that processing is getting slower.

A System That Is Overworked

Experts on immigration say that things are not expected to get better under Trump's presidency. Charles Kuck, a founding partner at Kuck Baxter Immigration in Atlanta, said that the system is purposely slowing down. He said, "There is zero percent chance that processing times will speed up under this administration." He also said that USCIS seems to be purposely taking its time with most cases, with the exception of petitions for naturalisation and marriage.

Kuck also said that the lag is due to orders from Trump advisor Stephen Miller to cut down on the amount of legal immigrants coming into the country.

Forms are stuck in limbo

The backlog isn't simply a number; it has a tangible effect on important immigration forms, especially for people applying for green cards and workers.

- Form I-90 (Green Card Replacement): The time it takes to complete this form went from an average of 0.8 months to more than 8 months in only one quarter, which is a 938% increase.

- Form I-765 (Employment Authorisation): The number of pending initial applications for work authorisation rose by 87%, bringing the total number of pending forms (including renewals) to over 2 million, up from 1.2 million. - I-765 Net Backlog: Cases that are taking longer than usual to handle went up by over 181%.

The delays in issuing Form I-765 are especially bad for people who want to get a green card because this form lets them work lawfully while they wait for their permanent residency. If applicants don't get their employment authorisation documents (EADs) on time, they could lose their jobs or have gaps in their work.

Similarly, if Form I-90 processing takes too long, people who already have green cards may not be able to get new ones if their previous ones have expired, been lost, or been damaged. This makes it even harder to travel and work.

Michael Wildes, managing partner of WILDES & WEINBERG PC, said, "Backlogs can greatly delay approvals for both initial petitions and extensions, leaving both employers and foreign workers in the dark." He also said that Indian candidates, who are already having to wait a long time because of constraints on how many people may apply from each nation, might have to wait much longer for their status to change or their consular interviews.

What Caused the Backlog

Experts on immigration have said that there are a number of things that are causing the backlog. Kuck says the delays are due to planned policy decisions, but Wildes says they are due to problems with the system, like not having enough people, using old technology, and making policy changes that aren't always clear. All of these things have put a strain on USCIS resources and made processing times even longer.

Wildes said, "The problem is getting worse because there are more applications, tight budgets, and not enough staff."

What Can Applicants Do?

Experts say that people who are going through the slow-moving immigration procedure should get ready and get legal help.

Kuck said, "Be ready for LONG waits at USCIS and the consulate." He stressed how important it is to hire professional immigration lawyers to help candidates through the process and make sure they are ready for interviews.

Wildes agreed with this and told applicants to be patient but also take action. "Delays are likely to continue unless there is a significant increase in staffing, technological efficiency, or congressional support." He warned that these kinds of problems won't be fixed right away.

A Hard Road Ahead

The growing immigration backlog is making things very unpredictable for millions of applicants, especially Indian nationals who already have to wait longer because of the current limits on the number of people from each country. There is no quick fix in sight, so candidates should be ready for extended waits and get help from experts to get through the complicated and slow system.

Many people now feel that their dream of getting a US green card is farther away than before.