U.S. Immigration Backlog Puts Millions at Risk of Deportation
Millions of immigrants trying to get legal status in the U.S. are stuck in a massive backlog of applications. The Trump administration paused all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries in December, citing security concerns.
A growing pile of delayed immigration applications is putting millions of people at risk of deportation, even as they try to follow legal pathways to stay in America.
The problem got worse in December when the Trump administration paused all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries. This includes green card and citizenship processing for people from those nations.
The system was already overwhelmed. Starting in December, millions of temporary visa applications may require in-person interviews again, making the process even slower. The old computer systems can't keep up with demand.
The Trump administration says it's expanding the number of immigration judges to clear backlogs faster. But historically, about half of immigration court cases end in deportation orders.
People caught in these delays face a cruel catch-22: they're trying to become legal residents, but the slow system leaves them vulnerable to removal while they wait.
People who applied to stay legally could get deported while waiting for approval. The delays affect work permits, green cards, and citizenship applications that keep families together and workers employed.
Watch for updates on the 19-country pause and whether more countries get added to the list.
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