USCIS Rejections & Delays Worsen in 2026: Green Card Backlog Under Trump Immigration Policy

Green card applicants are facing increasingly difficult odds as USCIS rejection rates climb and processing delays worsen across multiple visa categories, including EB-3 employment-based immigration. According to a Financial Express report, the backlog of unresolved cases continues to grow, leaving thousands of skilled workers in prolonged uncertainty. The deterioration in processing efficiency is being attributed to a combination of factors, including stricter adjudication standards under the current Trump administration's immigration enforcement posture and increased scrutiny of petitions. EB-3 applicants — covering skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled labor — are among those most affected, as their cases often involve complex employer sponsorship requirements. For EB-3 applicants specifically, the worsening delay environment compounds existing backlogs already driven by per-country annual caps. Countries with high demand, such as India, China, and the Philippines, face particularly long waits, and additional administrative delays only extend those timelines further. Immigration attorneys advise applicants to ensure all documentation is thorough and up-to-date to minimize RFE (Request for Evidence) risk. Employers sponsoring workers are also encouraged to file petitions well in advance and monitor USCIS case status proactively. Applicants should consult the latest USCIS processing time data and the monthly Visa Bulletin to understand current priority date movements and plan their green card journey accordingly.