How long is the backlog for immigration?
The immigration courts require urgent attention to address the 1.3 million case backlog that is severely delaying resolution on all cases—with an average wait time exceeding four years—including cases that require urgent attention, such as those seeking asylum and humanitarian relief.
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How many immigration cases are backlogged?
1.6 million cases
The immigration court backlog now tops 1.6 million cases, up from 1.1 million before the pandemic and more than double the caseload that existed in fiscal year (FY) 2018. At USCIS, the backlog has surged from 5.7 million applications at the end of FY 2019 to about 9.5 million as of February.
Can you sue USCIS for delay?
Yes. If there have been unreasonable delays in your case, you may file a complaint against the Immigration Service in the Federal Court, and the Court can force the Immigration Service to make a decision in your case.
How long are immigration cases taking?
As of November 2021, the average time across all Field Offices is around 19 months. This backlog is largely due to the USCIS office closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
What can I do if my immigration case is taking too long?
Your best bet is to contact the office that should have your file, explain the situation, and if need be submit a copy of the application you sent. If that doesn’t work, or you just can’t wait any longer, definitely contact an immigration lawyer.
Why is my immigration case taking so long?
Why Are Cases Taking Longer? Many factors can slow down your case. New policies at USCIS are restricting legal immigration. For example, one policy requires USCIS officers to conduct duplicate reviews of past decisions, adding unnecessary work to each case.
When can an immigration judge terminate proceedings?
Immigration court proceedings have typically been terminated when the government could not adequately demonstrate that a noncitizen was removable as charged, or to allow them to apply for immigration benefits from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for which they are eligible, such a family-sponsored …
How backlogged is USCIS?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ backlog has nearly 5.2 million cases and approximately 8.5 million cases are pending, according the CIS Ombudsman Phyllis Coven. By comparison, the backlog was around 2.7 million in July 2019. On a call with USCIS leadership Wednesday, Coven said…