Proposed USCIS Workforce Cuts Could Spell Delays for Immigration Processing Times

As an immigration law firm, we know how critical efficient and timely processing is for the families and businesses we serve. That’s why recent news from inside U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is concerning.

This week, USCIS employees reportedly received internal communications encouraging them to consider early retirement, warning that a “reduction in force” could follow. If this happens, the consequences for millions of applicants, U.S. companies, and families could be significant.

We’ve seen this before. In 2020, after USCIS leadership depleted reserve funds and imposed a hiring freeze during the pandemic, the agency lost over a thousand officers. The result? Processing backlogs exploded, leaving families waiting years to be reunited, businesses without critical staff, and communities needing vital services.

To their credit, USCIS made significant progress starting in 2021 by hiring new staff, implementing efficiency measures, and adjusting fees to stabilize operations. By 2023, the agency had reduced its backlog for the first time in over a decade, even while processing a record number of applications. Wait times for services like green card renewals, which had stretched to eight months or more, dropped dramatically.

However, if USCIS is forced to downsize its workforce again, those hard-won gains could quickly disappear. Longer backlogs delay family reunifications or business operations and undermine national security by leaving critical vetting processes incomplete for months or years.

It’s important to remember that USCIS is a service agency, funded not by taxpayers but by application fees paid by U.S. citizens, employers, and future Americans. As we’ve seen some USCIS fees rise in 2025, we expect that filing fees will likely continue to increase in the future. 

These likely increases in fees and delays may impact the ability for USCIS to provide the services that customers deserve–fair, timely, and efficient processing.

The Bernard Firm will continue watching these developments closely and advocate for our clients’ interests. If you have questions about how potential processing delays could affect your immigration case or need assistance navigating the current system, don’t hesitate to reach out.