Green Card Backlog
For years, America has run two different green card systems at the same time.
The Big Story
Roughly 783,000 people received permanent residency from inside the United States through adjustment of status, while about 574,000 completed the process overseas through U.S. embassies and consulates.
Now immigration officials are increasing efforts to move more applications back toward overseas processing that already exists in our immigration laws.
The Two Spins
From the Left
Requiring people to leave the country during processing interrupts jobs, families, and daily life for immigrants already established in the U.S.
Embassies and consulates already face major backlogs, creating concern that immigration processing will slow down even more.
From the Right
Permanent residency processing has long included embassy and consulate pathways, so immigration systems should apply those rules more consistently.
Expanding overseas processing creates more consistency in how permanent residency applications are handled.
What This Means for Us
Immigrants are directly related to our jobs, wages, and everyday living in America.
Healthcare, farming, hospitality, construction, and trucking companies across the country already struggle to fill certain jobs. Businesses say slower immigration processing makes hiring harder, while others argue companies should focus more on raising wages and improving working conditions to attract more American workers.
How They Make Money
VFS Global processes millions of visa and residency applications for more than 60 governments across 140 countries.
The company is privately owned and makes money handling fingerprinting, appointments, and document processing for people traveling between countries.
Takeaway
Private companies handle huge parts of the world’s immigration process behind the scenes.
The Number That Stuck With Me
58%
About 58% of all green cards issued in 2024 went to people already living inside the United States.
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