USCIS Reports Sharp Rise in SIJ Backlog Despite Sustained High Approval Rates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released its Fiscal Year 2026, Quarter 1 performance data for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) petitions filed on Form I-360. The data shows a record-high pending caseload of 34,446 petitions. The newly published figures confirm that while approval rates remain consistently high, overall case volume continues to outpace adjudications.
The Q1 FY2026 data reflects ongoing operational pressure within the SIJ program. This program provides a pathway to lawful permanent residence for certain undocumented children and youth in the United States. These youth must have been declared dependent on a juvenile court or placed under the custody of a state agency, department, or individual. This placement occurs due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law.
Record Filings Over the Past Fifteen Years
USCIS data shows that SIJ filings have increased 47-fold since FY2010. In that fiscal year, the agency received 1,646 petitions. By FY2025, annual filings reached 78,156, marking the highest single-year total on record.
The most dramatic surge has occurred within the last five fiscal years. From FY2020 through FY2025, annual filing volumes more than quadrupled. Moreover, this growth coincides with a significant rise in unaccompanied minors apprehended at the U.S. border and subsequently placed in state court dependency or guardianship proceedings. These proceedings are an essential prerequisite for SIJ eligibility.
The sustained rise in petition volume has fundamentally changed the scale of the SIJ program. It has transformed SIJ from a relatively low-volume humanitarian classification into one of the largest petition-based filings within the employment-based immigrant petition framework. This is because SIJ classification is adjudicated through Form I-360 under the employment-based fourth preference (EB-4) category.
Backlog Surpasses Prior Peak
The pending inventory of SIJ petitions reached 34,446 in Q1 FY2026. This slightly surpasses the previous record high of 33,791 set during FY2018. That earlier backlog spike was associated in part with a sharp reduction in approvals during that period. Only 4,710 SIJ petitions were approved amid policy and procedural changes.
The current backlog differs in a key respect. Unlike FY2018, the present accumulation of pending cases is not driven by a collapse in approval rates. Instead, the data indicates that adjudications continue at a steady pace but are insufficient to keep up with incoming receipts.
This distinction is significant for long-term planning. It suggests that the principal constraint in the SIJ program is agency capacity relative to demand. In contrast, there has not been an increased level of scrutiny on statutory eligibility.
Approval Rates Remain Above 95 Percent
USCIS continues to approve approximately 96 percent of SIJ petitions it adjudicates. This rate has remained above 95 percent for four consecutive fiscal years. Denial rates have therefore remained comparatively low. This reinforces that the statutory criteria—when properly supported by state court findings and evidence—are generally being met by petitioners.
The consistency of the approval rate indicates that most SIJ petitioners who reach adjudication with complete documentation are succeeding. However, high approval rates do not mitigate the effects of prolonged processing times resulting from a growing pending inventory.
Practical Implications for SIJ Applicants and Practitioners
For SIJ applicants, a larger pending caseload may translate into extended adjudication timelines at the I-360 stage. Although SIJ classification approval is only one step in the process toward lawful permanent residence, delays at this stage can affect overall immigration case strategy.
Because SIJ falls within the EB-4 visa category, beneficiaries are also subject to annual numerical limits. In many cases, visa retrogression applies depending on their country of chargeability. Moreover, a protracted I-360 adjudication timeline can interact with visa bulletin movement and adjustment of status eligibility. This makes strategic timing an important consideration for practitioners.
Juvenile court jurisdiction is also age-sensitive in many states. This means that coordination between state court proceedings and federal immigration filings remains critical. While the USCIS data reflects federal adjudication activity only, the upstream state court component remains essential to SIJ eligibility. Local court capacity and procedural timelines can impact this step.
Ongoing Monitoring of Quarterly Trends
USCIS has committed to releasing quarterly performance data for SIJ petitions throughout FY2026. Continued monitoring of receipt levels, completions, and pending inventory will be important in assessing whether the agency can stabilize or reduce the backlog in coming quarters.
For attorneys, advocates, and youth-focused service providers, the Q1 FY2026 numbers underscore the sustained demand for SIJ classification and the operational pressures within the adjudication system. While approval outcomes remain favorable, the scale of incoming petitions continues to shape processing realities for vulnerable youth seeking long-term stability in the United States.
