Key Takeaways
• USCIS backlog hit 11.3 million pending cases as of July 2025, delaying green card and visa processing.
• Trump administration suspended key programs including Streamlined Case Processing and refugee green card processing in early 2025.
• Over 300 lawsuits challenge Trump immigration policies amid growing wait times and enforcement actions since February 2025.
Dozens of green card applicants have taken the Trump administration to court in July 2025, claiming that new policies and processing delays have derailed their hopes of permanent residency in the United States 🇺🇸. These lawsuits highlight a much larger crisis: the U.S. immigration system is facing record backlogs, stricter rules, and growing uncertainty for millions of people seeking green cards and other immigration benefits.
USCIS Backlog Reaches Historic Levels
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) backlog has grown to an all-time high, with 11.3 million pending cases as of July 2025. This backlog includes green card applications (Form I-485), work permits, travel documents, and employment-based visa petitions. In the second quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, USCIS managed to process only 2.7 million cases, leaving more than 8.6 million applicants waiting for answers. Even more troubling, over 34,000 applications remain unopened, stuck in mailrooms and not yet entered into the system. This means thousands of people have no idea when, or if, their cases will be reviewed.
Trump Admin Policies Slow Down Processing
The Trump administration, which returned to office in early 2025, has made several policy changes that have slowed down immigration processing even further. One of the biggest changes is the suspension of the Streamlined Case Processing program. This program was designed to speed up decisions for low-risk applications, but it has now been paused with no clear date for resuming. Without this program, cases that could have been resolved quickly are now added to the growing backlog.
Another major policy shift came in March 2025, when the Trump administration suspended green card processing for refugees and asylees. This decision was made to allow for “enhanced vetting” under a January 20, 2025, Executive Order. Before this suspension, USCIS already took 14 to 15.5 months to approve 80% of these applications. Now, tens of thousands of vulnerable applicants face even longer waits, with no clear timeline for when processing might start again.
Legal Action by Green Card Applicants
Faced with these delays and suspensions, dozens of green card applicants have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration. They argue that the new policies violate their rights and cause unnecessary hardship. These lawsuits are part of a larger wave of legal challenges targeting Trump-era immigration policies, including executive orders and enforcement actions.
As of early July 2025, there are more than 300 active legal challenges related to Trump administration immigration policies. Some courts have issued temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions, which can temporarily stop certain enforcement actions or processing suspensions. However, many cases are still pending, and the legal landscape remains uncertain.
Advocacy Groups Demand Transparency
Immigration advocacy groups, such as the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), have stepped in to support green card applicants. They have filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to demand more information about the suspension of green card processing for refugees and asylees. These groups want to know why the enhanced vetting was put in place and how it is being carried out. They are also pushing for more transparency and accountability from the government.
Government Defends Its Actions
The Trump administration, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), has defended its approach. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has pointed to improved conditions in countries like Honduras and Nicaragua as a reason for ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 70,000 immigrants. This move indirectly affects green card applicants from those countries, making their path to permanent residency even more difficult.
Longer Waits and Greater Uncertainty
For green card applicants, the practical effects of these policies are severe. USCIS now estimates that 80% of green card replacements and renewals could take over a year to process. In some cases, median wait times have jumped nearly 1,000% in just one quarter, going from less than a month to more than eight months. These delays leave families separated, workers unable to start jobs, and students unsure about their futures.
The Trump administration has also increased immigration enforcement, starting removal proceedings against more than 26,000 people since February 2025. This has created even more fear and uncertainty for those waiting for green cards or other immigration benefits. Many applicants worry that they could be deported while their cases are still pending.
Vulnerable Populations Hit Hardest
Refugees and asylees are among the groups most affected by the suspension of green card processing. With no clear timeline for when their applications will be reviewed, they remain in legal limbo. Many have already waited years to rebuild their lives in the United States 🇺🇸, and now face even longer delays and greater hardship.
How the Process Has Changed
The green card application process has several steps, and each one has been affected by the current crisis:
- Application Submission:
Applicants submit Form I-485 (the main green card application) or related forms. You can find the official Form I-485 here. -
Initial Processing and Vetting:
Under the Trump administration’s enhanced vetting policies, certain groups—especially refugees and asylees—face extra checks. This slows down the initial review of their cases. -
Backlog and Queue:
Many applications are not even opened or entered into the system, due to resource shortages and policy suspensions. -
Legal Challenges:
Applicants affected by delays or suspensions may file lawsuits or ask courts to order USCIS to process their cases. -
Possible Outcomes:
Cases may eventually be approved after long waits, denied because of new policies, or left pending with no end in sight.
Stakeholders and Their Views
Several groups are involved in this crisis, each with their own perspective:
- USCIS:
Responsible for processing green cards and other immigration benefits. The agency reports record backlogs and admits to delays, especially after suspending the Streamlined Case Processing program. -
Trump Administration (DHS, DOJ):
Enforces stricter vetting and immigration policies. Officials defend these actions as necessary for national security and point to improved conditions abroad as reasons for ending certain protections. -
Advocacy Groups (American Immigration Council, AILA):
These organizations are suing the government and demanding more information about the reasons for suspending green card processing. They argue that the delays harm applicants and violate their rights. -
Applicants (Refugees, Asylees, Other Green Card Seekers):
The people most directly affected. Many are filing lawsuits, while others wait in fear of deportation or further delays. -
State Governments:
Some states, such as New York and Illinois, are challenging federal immigration enforcement and defending their own policies to protect immigrants. -
Immigration Experts and Legal Analysts:
Many experts warn that the current policies are causing humanitarian and legal problems, with backlogs and delays reaching levels never seen before.
What’s Next for Green Card Applicants?
The future remains uncertain for green card applicants caught in this crisis. As of July 2025, USCIS has not announced any clear plan to resume suspended processing or reduce the backlog in a meaningful way. The indefinite pause on Streamlined Case Processing continues to be a major obstacle.
Several lawsuits challenging the suspension and delays are still pending in court. Some judges have issued orders to temporarily stop certain policies, but there is no final resolution yet. The outcome of these cases could shape how quickly, or slowly, green card processing resumes for refugees, asylees, and other applicants.
Advocacy groups are also putting pressure on Congress and the administration to make changes. They are calling for reforms to address the backlog and protect the rights of vulnerable applicants. However, as of mid-2025, there have been no official announcements about policy changes or new resources to speed up processing.
What Can Applicants Do?
If you are a green card applicant affected by these delays, there are a few steps you can take:
- Check Your Case Status:
Use the official USCIS website to check the status of your application and get updates on processing times. -
Contact Advocacy Groups:
Organizations like the American Immigration Council and AILA can provide legal resources and updates on ongoing lawsuits. -
Consider Legal Action:
If your case has been delayed for an unusually long time, you may want to speak with an immigration lawyer about your options, including the possibility of joining a lawsuit. -
Stay Informed:
Follow news from trusted sources and advocacy groups to keep up with any changes in policy or court decisions that could affect your case.
Real-Life Impact: Stories from the Backlog
For many green card applicants, these delays are more than just numbers—they are life-changing. Families remain separated, with spouses and children waiting years to reunite. Workers who have job offers in the United States 🇺🇸 cannot start their new positions, and students face uncertainty about whether they can continue their studies. Refugees and asylees, who have already fled danger in their home countries, now face the stress of not knowing when they will finally have a secure future.
One applicant, a refugee from Honduras, shared, “I have waited years for this chance. Now, with the new rules, I don’t know if I’ll ever get my green card. My family is scared every day.”
Expert Analysis and Broader Implications
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the current backlog and policy changes have created a humanitarian crisis for green card applicants. The indefinite suspension of processing for refugees and asylees, combined with increased enforcement, puts thousands at risk of deportation or long-term uncertainty. Legal experts warn that these delays may violate both U.S. law and international agreements protecting refugees and asylees.
The backlog also affects employers, universities, and communities that rely on immigrants for their workforce, research, and cultural contributions. As the delays grow, the United States 🇺🇸 risks losing talented workers, students, and future citizens to other countries with more welcoming policies.
Where to Find Official Information
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on green card applications, visit the USCIS official website. This site provides case status updates, processing times, and links to all official forms, including Form I-485 for green card applications.
Conclusion: A System in Crisis, with No Quick Fix
The lawsuits filed by dozens of green card applicants against the Trump administration in 2025 are just one sign of a much larger problem. With record backlogs, stricter policies, and growing legal battles, the U.S. immigration system is under tremendous strain. While advocacy groups and courts continue to fight for the rights of applicants, millions remain in limbo, waiting for answers that may not come soon. For now, staying informed, seeking legal help, and supporting advocacy efforts are the best steps green card applicants can take as they wait for change.
Learn Today
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that processes immigration and naturalization applications.
Green Card → Official permit granting permanent residency and work authorization in the U.S.
Streamlined Case Processing → A USCIS program aimed at faster decisions for low-risk immigration cases, now suspended.
Enhanced Vetting → Stricter screening procedures applied to refugees and asylees after a 2025 executive order.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A temporary immigration status granted due to unsafe conditions in a person’s home country.
This Article in a Nutshell
Backlogs and policy changes have plunged green card applicants into unprecedented delays. The Trump administration’s measures suspended expedited programs and refugee processing, intensifying wait times and legal battles. Advocacy groups seek transparency and reform, while thousands face uncertainty about their future in the U.S. immigration system.
— By VisaVerge.com
