Slower Processing Times for Spousal Green Card Applications
No part of the immigration system has been immune from change over the past 18 months. The good news is that spouses of U.S. citizens may continue to apply for a green card. However, as a recent story from USA Today points out, applicants are facing many hurdles, including prolonged processing times. These delays not only keep people apart, but they can add financial stress to families, as one spouse patiently waits for permission to come to the U.S. Contact The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan, PLLC, if you have questions related to marriage-based immigration. Our firm is prepared to help in any way we can.
Longer Delays, More Frustration
USA Today spoke with several couples who were waiting for USCIS to approve a petition for a spousal green card. The couples all expressed frustration at various aspects of the process, including increased waiting times.
Statistics bear out that applicants are waiting longer for approval in the second Trump Administration:
- USCIS approved 46% fewer petitions during the January to March 2026 period compared to a year ago. This was the fifth consecutive quarterly decline.
- Family-based approvals fell to 180,000 during the first quarter of 2026, which is the lowest level for the Trump Administration.
- USCIS is taking longer to process green card applications. The amount of time has increased from an average of 12.5 months to 24 months for many family-based green cards. Some green cards take over 52 months to be processed, depending on location.
USCIS spokesmen claim the agency is committed to whittling away at their backlog, but the agency is also committed to rooting out fraud, which they claim is one reason processing times have slowed.
The above statistics show that applicants and their families must be proactive when applying for a marriage-based or family-based green card. Instead of throwing together a petition and hoping for the best, you should contact an established law firm to engage in thorough planning.
Strategic Immigration Planning is Critical
Even the luckiest applicants are waiting longer to receive green cards, but the current climate is disastrous for those who have negative information in their immigration histories. Contact a law firm for a complete immigration review of your file. You need to be proactive at addressing previous immigration violations, illegal entries, and other negative information, including criminal convictions. USCIS will find these black marks, and you could be denied whatever benefit you have applied for.
If you are seeking a marriage-based green card, our firm can also help compile the necessary information to prove the relationship is bona fide. Gathering as much information upfront can speed up the process. If you lack critical information or supporting documentation, such as financial records, your claim can take even longer.
Call Our Office if You Want to Apply for a Marriage-Based Green Card
The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan, PLLC, has assisted countless married couples achieve their dream of living in the U.S. Contact our firm to speak with a knowledgeable Portsmouth, New Hampshire or Miami, Florida immigration lawyer.
Source:
usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/09/01/immigration-couples-love-torn-apart/91248878007/