NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, D.C., July 10, 2025: The U.S. immigration system is under increasing strain as the backlog of pending applications has surged to a record high of 11.3 million, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Newsweek reported.
Among those most affected are lawful permanent residents facing lengthy delays in receiving replacement green cards. Processing times for Form I‑90, used to renew or replace green cards, have now stretched to over eight months, adding to applicants’ frustration and uncertainty.
Despite the delays, immigration experts urge green card holders not to panic. Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek that a policy safeguard is already in place. “While it may be surprising, from a legal and practical perspective, the sharp increase in Form I‑90 processing times is not of concern,” Bailey said.
When a Form I‑90 is filed, USCIS automatically issues a receipt notice, which serves as an extension of the green card’s validity for 48 months. This receipt, when presented with the expired green card, is legally equivalent to holding a valid one. It is accepted by employers, airlines, and immigration officials, according to USCIS guidelines.
“An expired green card does not mean an expired status,” Bailey clarified. “This is somewhat similar to a U.S. citizen whose status remains unchanged even if they don’t have a valid passport.”
While the delays are inconvenient, they do not affect the legal right of green card holders to live and work in the U.S. In urgent situations where individuals lack both their green card and receipt notice, they can request an ADIT (I‑551) stamp from a USCIS field office. This stamp provides temporary proof of permanent residency for employment, travel, or reentry to the U.S.
USCIS has acknowledged that it prioritizes cases that directly impact an individual’s immigration status, diverting resources away from lower-risk services like green card replacements.
“The filing of the Form I‑90 does not actually confer an immigration benefit—it simply updates the physical proof of the individual’s status,” Bailey noted. “Permanent resident status doesn’t expire, even if the card does—and is only lost through formal government action.”
The growing backlog underscores broader issues in the U.S. immigration system. Newsweek also reported that the Trump administration has stepped up efforts to revoke visas and green cards of foreign students allegedly linked to pro-Hamas activity, including participation in campus protests. These moves are part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy aimed at mass removals of undocumented immigrants.
While processing delays remain a challenge, immigration attorneys continue to emphasize that understanding existing protections and documentation rules can help permanent residents avoid unnecessary disruption to their daily lives.
(Source: Newsweek)
