US Citizenship And Immigration Services Announces Major Policy Shift
US Citizenship And Immigration Services Announces Major Policy Shift...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unveiled sweeping changes to its application processing system on Monday, sparking nationwide attention. The agency will now prioritize employment-based green cards and reduce backlogs for certain visa categories, marking the first major overhaul in a decade.
USCIS Director Ur Jaddou confirmed the policy shift during a press briefing in Washington, D.C. The changes aim to address the current 9.5 million pending immigration cases, with particular focus on STEM professionals and healthcare workers. Processing times for some employment visas could be cut by up to six months under the new system.
The announcement comes amid growing pressure from businesses facing labor shortages and immigrant advocacy groups. Tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon had lobbied for faster processing of skilled worker visas. Meanwhile, family-based immigration applications will maintain their current processing timeline.
Public reaction has been mixed. Business leaders praised the move as "critical for economic recovery," while some immigration attorneys warn it could create new disparities. The policy takes effect June 1, 2026, with USCIS expecting to hire 2,000 additional officers to handle the changes.
Google search interest in USCIS services spiked 380% following the announcement, according to analytics data. Many applicants are checking the agency's website for updated processing timelines. The changes could affect nearly 1.2 million pending employment-based applications nationwide.
This marks the Biden administration's most significant immigration policy update since the 2022 parole programs. Observers suggest the timing aligns with election-year pressures to address both economic needs and immigration reform demands. USCIS will hold public webinars next week to explain the changes in detail.
