In the second quarter of FY2025 (January–March), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS) recorded a sharp decline in case completions and a significant rise in pending cases, according to the agency’s first major data release since the new administration took charge.
USCIS completed 2.7 million cases during the quarter, an 18% year-on-year drop from the 3.3 million cases processed in Q2 FY2024. Compared to the previous quarter (Q1 FY2025), completions fell by 12%. This reduction in throughput came alongside a backlog surge: pending cases grew by 1.6 million, pushing the total to a record 11.3 million—surpassing 10 million for the first time in at least a decade.
The agency also reported over 34,000 unopened cases at the end of Q2, marking the first non-zero "frontlog" since Q2 of FY2024.
The slowdown has affected key immigration benefits. The median processing time for Form I-129—used for most employment-based temporary visas—rose by 25% from the previous quarter and over 80% compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, Form I-90 applications, used to replace green cards, saw the steepest delay. Median processing time jumped 938%, rising from 0.8 months to over 8 months within just one quarter.
Form I-765 applications, used for work authorizations, also saw a sharp backlog increase. Initial applications pending rose by 87% compared to Q1, while the total number of pending I-765s (including renewals and replacements) rose by 79%, from under 1.2 million to over 2 million. The net backlog—cases delayed beyond acceptable standards—jumped nearly 181% in this category.
One area showed improvement. The net backlog of I-129s fell by nearly 75% between Q1 and Q2. However, the active Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) population continued to decline, dropping by over 8,000 individuals.
This data points to increasing pressure on USCIS operations even as the agency adjusts under new leadership. More analysis is expected on how these trends may impact immigration timelines in the months ahead.
USCIS completed 2.7 million cases during the quarter, an 18% year-on-year drop from the 3.3 million cases processed in Q2 FY2024. Compared to the previous quarter (Q1 FY2025), completions fell by 12%. This reduction in throughput came alongside a backlog surge: pending cases grew by 1.6 million, pushing the total to a record 11.3 million—surpassing 10 million for the first time in at least a decade.
The agency also reported over 34,000 unopened cases at the end of Q2, marking the first non-zero "frontlog" since Q2 of FY2024.
The slowdown has affected key immigration benefits. The median processing time for Form I-129—used for most employment-based temporary visas—rose by 25% from the previous quarter and over 80% compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, Form I-90 applications, used to replace green cards, saw the steepest delay. Median processing time jumped 938%, rising from 0.8 months to over 8 months within just one quarter.
Form I-765 applications, used for work authorizations, also saw a sharp backlog increase. Initial applications pending rose by 87% compared to Q1, while the total number of pending I-765s (including renewals and replacements) rose by 79%, from under 1.2 million to over 2 million. The net backlog—cases delayed beyond acceptable standards—jumped nearly 181% in this category.
One area showed improvement. The net backlog of I-129s fell by nearly 75% between Q1 and Q2. However, the active Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) population continued to decline, dropping by over 8,000 individuals.
This data points to increasing pressure on USCIS operations even as the agency adjusts under new leadership. More analysis is expected on how these trends may impact immigration timelines in the months ahead.
You may also like
HMRC warns anyone born on these dates could be owed £2,200 in unclaimed cash
Suvendu Adhikari shares video of Trinamool MLA assaulting govt officer, seeks action
Half of teenagers would prefer to be happy in their future job than be paid a lot
BMI may influence breast cancer risk in women with heart disease: WHO study
Trying to scare Muslim community: BJP slams misinformation over voters verification drive in Bihar
