The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reported that as of October, 2,235,799 I-130 petitions based on family relationships are pending, with 1,815,343 of those applications having been delayed for more than six months. The average processing time for an I-130 petition was approximately 18.4 months during October, reflecting a slight increase in the backlog compared to the previous month. USCIS received 87,489 I-130 applications in October, approving 55,884 and rejecting 7,545.
There are currently 529,816 pending family-based green card (I-485) applications, with 332,336 of these pending for over six months. The average processing time for these applications in October was 13.3 months. Of the 47,689 family-based I-485 applications received in October, 30,043 were approved, and 4,959 were rejected.
For asylum-based I-485 applications, 81,775 remain pending, with 50,672 of these delayed beyond six months. USCIS received 7,530 asylum-based I-485 applications in October, approving 10,511 and rejecting 289. The processing time for these applications averaged 12.3 months.
Employment-based I-485 applications have 183,342 pending, with 140,655 of these delayed for over six months. The average processing time for these applications was 11.2 months in October.
USCIS also reported that 1,178,128 work permit applications are pending, with 528,789 delayed for more than six months. The average processing time for work permits is three months. In October, USCIS received 428,860 work permit applications, approving 419,971 and rejecting 29,829.
As of October, 521,418 U.S. citizenship applications were pending, with 101,964 of these delayed for more than six months. The average processing time for citizenship applications was six months. USCIS received 81,118 N-400 citizenship applications in October, approving 72,681 and rejecting 6,087.
Key changes from September to October include a rise in the number of I-130 petitions received, from 75,544 to 87,489, and an increase in the number of pending cases, from 2,207,387 to 2,235,799. Approvals decreased slightly from 57,514 to 55,884, while denials decreased from 9,000 to 7,545. The average processing time for I-130 applications rose from 17.5 to 18.4 months.
Asylum-based I-485 applications showed improved efficiency, with applications rising from 5,459 to 7,530, approvals increasing from 7,693 to 10,511, and pending cases decreasing from 84,766 to 81,775. The average processing time for these applications improved from 13.5 to 12.3 months.
Employment-based I-485 applications saw a significant reduction in processing time, from 25.3 months to 11.2 months, reflecting a more efficient handling of these cases.
Family-based I-485 applications experienced a rise in volume, with applications increasing from 38,409 to 47,689, but approvals declined from 35,648 to 30,043. The average processing time for family-based applications grew from 12 to 13.3 months.
Work permit applications also saw a significant increase, with receipts rising from 356,947 to 428,860. Approvals remained stable at 419,971, while pending cases decreased slightly from 1,196,046 to 1,178,128, and cases pending over six months fell from 546,496 to 528,789. The average processing time for work permits improved from 3.2 to 3 months.
Naturalization applications saw a slight decrease in receipts from 88,501 to 81,118. Approvals declined slightly, from 73,159 to 72,681, while denials increased from 5,646 to 6,087. The average processing time remained at six months.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
