USCIS Backlog Alert: Processing Delays Keep Growing Despite Fewer 2026 Filings

According to a report by the American Immigration Council published on Immigration Impact, USCIS is experiencing a paradoxical trend: its application backlog continues to grow even as the total number of filings submitted to the agency has declined. This counterintuitive pattern points to deep-rooted structural and staffing inefficiencies within the agency rather than a simple surge in demand. For EB-3 applicants — including skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers pursuing employment-based green cards — a growing backlog directly translates to longer wait times at every stage of the process, from I-140 petition adjudication to final green card approval. Even applicants with current priority dates may face extended processing windows due to internal USCIS capacity constraints. The American Immigration Council's analysis suggests that USCIS has struggled to process cases at a pace that keeps up with its existing inventory, regardless of new intake volume. Factors such as workforce reductions, policy-driven interview requirements, and increased scrutiny of applications have all been cited as contributing to slower throughput. For EB-3 hopefuls monitoring their cases, this report underscores the importance of filing applications accurately and completely to avoid requests for evidence (RFEs) that could add months to an already lengthy timeline. Applicants are encouraged to track USCIS processing time updates regularly and consult with qualified immigration counsel regarding case-specific delays.