US Green Card Backlog Surpasses 1.56 Million, Family Cases Lead
As of June 30, 2026, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported over 1.56 million pending Form I-485 applications for green cards, with family-based cases comprising the largest backlog at approximately 611,000. Employment-based cases account for around 268,000 pending applications. In the April-June quarter, USCIS received 242,989 new applications but completed only 118,366, indicating growing delays. Median processing times were seven months for family-based and six months for employment-based cases, with approval rates varying between categories.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. No outlet gave this story a measurable political slant — there is no left–right reading to report. Overall sentiment is neutral (49/100). Lens Score 41/100.
Outlets measured: economictimes, thefinancialexpress. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (48–50/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
thefinancialexpress broke this story on 4 Nov, 01:24 pm. Other outlets followed.