Mass Layoffs in America Threaten Immigrants’ Green Card Dreams

(UNITED STATES) Mass layoffs and deep staffing cuts at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in 2025 are causing record delays for immigrants seeking green cards, leaving many families and workers in limbo. As of August 6, 2025, these workforce reductions have made it much harder for people to get permanent residency, especially those relying on employment-based green cards.

USCIS, the main agency that handles immigration paperwork in the United States 🇺🇸, has been hit hard by federal government downsizing that started under President Trump and continued into 2025. The agency now faces a historic backlog of over 11.3 million pending cases. This means that people waiting for green cards, work permits, and other immigration benefits are experiencing longer waits than ever before.

How Mass Layoffs Are Affecting the Green Card Process

The green card process in the United States 🇺🇸 is already known for being slow and complicated. With the recent mass layoffs at USCIS, things have become even more difficult. The agency simply does not have enough staff to keep up with the huge number of applications. This has led to:

• **Longer processing times** for green card applications, work permits, and other immigration benefits.
• **Delays in key steps** like the I-140 immigrant petition and PERM labor certification, which are required for many employment-based green cards.
• **Increased risk** for immigrants who lose their jobs during the green card process, as layoffs can force them to start over or even lose eligibility.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these delays are especially hard on applicants from India and China, who already face some of the longest waits due to per-country visa caps. Many of these individuals are now looking at wait times that could stretch into decades.

What Happens If You Lose Your Job During the Green Card Process?

Losing your job during the green card process can have serious consequences. The process is closely tied to your employer, and any change in your job status can disrupt your application. Here’s how different situations play out:

• **If you are laid off before your employer files the PERM labor certification:** You lose all progress and must find a new employer willing to start the process from scratch.
• **If you are laid off after PERM certification but before or after I-140 filing:** Your options depend on timing and category. Sometimes, you can use “portability” rules to keep your green card process moving with a new employer, but this is not always possible. If not, you may need a new employer to file a new petition.

This situation is causing a lot of stress for immigrants, especially those on temporary work visas like H-1B. If their green card process is interrupted, they risk falling out of status and having to leave the country.

USCIS Policy Changes and Added Complexity

In December 2024, USCIS introduced a new version of Form I-485, which is the main application for adjusting status to permanent resident. Now, applicants must submit their medical examination Form I-693 at the same time as their I-485. While receipt notices are processed within three business days, the overall time to get a decision is still very long due to the staffing shortage.

• **Form I-485**: [Official link to Form I-485](https://www.uscis.gov/i-485)
• **Form I-693**: [Official link to Form I-693](https://www.uscis.gov/i-693)

These changes add more steps and paperwork, making the process even more challenging for applicants already dealing with delays.

The Numbers: Backlogs and Wait Times

The scale of the problem is clear from the numbers:

These delays are not just numbers—they represent real people waiting to reunite with family, keep their jobs, or build a life in the United States 🇺🇸.

Voices from the Field: What Officials and Advocates Are Saying

USCIS leaders admit that the agency is struggling with staffing shortages and backlogs. However, they have not announced any immediate plans to reverse the layoffs. They say that more funding and new laws are needed to fix the problem.

Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups are sounding the alarm. They warn that the mass layoffs at USCIS threaten the stability of millions of immigrants and could hurt industries that rely on foreign workers. They are calling on Congress to provide emergency funding and to change the rules that limit green cards by country. These groups also point out that delays are causing families to be separated for years and making it hard for employers to keep skilled workers.

Real-Life Effects on Immigrants and Families

The impact of these delays and layoffs is being felt in many ways:

• **Immigrants who lose their jobs** during the green card process may have to start over or could lose their chance at permanent residency.
• **Work permit renewals** are taking longer, which can lead to gaps in employment and loss of income.
• **Families are separated** for longer periods because family-based green card processing is so slow.
• **H-1B and H-4 visa holders** risk losing their legal status if their extensions or green card applications are delayed.

For example, a software engineer from India who has been waiting for a green card for over 10 years could lose everything if laid off now. If their employer cannot rehire them or another company does not take over the sponsorship quickly, they may have to leave the United States 🇺🇸, even if their children have grown up here.

Why Is This Happening? Background and Causes

The current crisis did not happen overnight. Several factors have come together to create this situation:

• **Policies from the Trump administration** made it harder to process refugee and asylum cases, adding to the backlog.
• **USCIS has been underfunded and understaffed** for years, making it hard to keep up with demand.
• **Per-country visa caps** set by the Immigration and Nationality Act mean that no more than 7% of green cards in each category can go to people from any one country each year. This hits applicants from high-demand countries like India and China the hardest.
• **A surge in immigration applications** after the COVID-19 pandemic put even more pressure on the system.
• **Federal layoffs** since 2017 have cut over 200,000 jobs, including many at immigration agencies.

All these factors have combined to create a perfect storm for immigrants trying to get green cards.

What’s Next? Future Outlook and Pending Changes

As of August 2025, there is no sign that USCIS will reverse the layoffs or hire more staff soon. Congress is discussing bills that could remove per-country caps and give USCIS more money, but it is not clear if these will pass.

Immigration advocacy groups are pushing for emergency measures to reduce the backlog and restore staffing. In the meantime, applicants are being told to file or renew their immigration documents as early as possible to avoid even longer delays.

Practical Steps for Immigrants Caught in the Backlog

If you are affected by these delays or have lost your job during the green card process, here are some steps you can take:

1. ✅ If laid off before PERM filing: Find a new employer who is willing to sponsor you and start the PERM process again.
2. ✅ If laid off after PERM certification but before I-140 approval: Check if you qualify for “portability” under the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act (AC21). If not, you may need a new employer to file a new petition.
   • **Form I-140**: [Official link to Form I-140](https://www.uscis.gov/i-140)
3. 📋 Monitor processing times: Regularly check the [USCIS website](https://www.uscis.gov/) and the [Department of State Visa Bulletin](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) for updates on your case and priority date.
4. 📋 Prepare for longer waits: Plan for possible gaps in employment or status, and keep all your documents up to date.
5. 📋 Consult an immigration attorney: Legal experts can help you understand your options and may suggest alternative pathways if your green card process is at risk.

Where to Find Official Information and Help

• **USCIS Website:** The main source for case status, forms, and processing times is the [USCIS official website](https://www.uscis.gov/).
• **Visa Bulletin:** The [Department of State Visa Bulletin](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) gives monthly updates on visa availability and priority dates.
• **National Visa Center:** For information on immigrant visa processing, visit the [National Visa Center](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/national-visa-center.html).
• **Legal Help:** Accredited immigration attorneys and nonprofit organizations can provide advice and support.

What Can Be Done? Solutions and Advocacy

While the current situation is tough, there are steps that can help:

• **Congress can pass laws** to remove per-country caps and give USCIS more funding, which would help reduce backlogs.
• **USCIS could hire more staff** if given the resources, speeding up processing times.
• **Employers can support workers** by offering legal help and being flexible with sponsorship.
• **Immigrants can stay informed** and act quickly to file or renew documents.

Advocacy groups are working hard to push for these changes. They are urging lawmakers to act quickly to prevent more families from being separated and to keep skilled workers in the United States 🇺🇸.

Conclusion: Staying Informed and Prepared

The mass layoffs at USCIS and the resulting delays are making it harder than ever for immigrants to get green cards and build a future in the United States 🇺🇸. The backlog is at a record high, and many people face years or even decades of waiting. While lawmakers discuss possible solutions, it is important for affected individuals to stay informed, seek legal advice, and take action as early as possible.

For the latest updates and official information, always check the USCIS website. By understanding the process and knowing your options, you can better protect your green card dreams, even in these challenging times.