USCIS First Quarter FY2026 Data Reflects Expanding Backlogs and Slower Case Resolution
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released its fiscal year 2026 first quarter performance data, providing a detailed look at receipts, completions, pending inventories, and processing times across all major form types. The data shows that overall filings continue to outpace completions, contributing to a growing system-wide backlog that now stands at 11.33 million pending cases.
During the first quarter alone, USCIS received approximately 2.12 million new filings but completed only 1.83 million cases. This gap of nearly 300,000 cases in a single quarter indicates that the agency’s pending inventory is continuing to expand rather than contract, despite ongoing processing activity.
The backlog is not evenly distributed. Certain high-impact categories, including affirmative asylum applications, family-based petitions, waivers of inadmissibility, and adjustment of status filings, account for a significant share of the pending caseload.
Waiver Processing Times Stretch to Nearly Three Years
The Status of Form I-601 and Related Waiver Filings
Among all tracked categories, waiver applications currently reflect the longest median processing time. The reported median for this group is 35.2 months. With 494,362 waiver cases pending and only 11,191 completions during the quarter, the pace of adjudication remains limited relative to demand.
At the current quarterly completion rate, clearing the existing waiver inventory without additional filings would take several years. In practice, however, new filings continue to enter the system each quarter, extending overall wait times for many applicants.
For individuals who require a waiver of inadmissibility before proceeding with immigrant visa issuance or adjustment of status, these processing times significantly affect family reunification timelines and employment-based immigration pathways. Because approval of a waiver is often a prerequisite to obtaining permanent residence, prolonged adjudication periods effectively delay final immigration outcomes.
Adjustment of Status Filings Continue to Outpace Completions
I-485 Pending Inventory Reaches 1.33 Million
The adjustment of status backlog, covering all I-485 categories, stands at 1.33 million pending applications. In the first quarter of FY2026, USCIS received 242,497 new I-485 filings but completed only 149,825. This means the agency adjudicated substantially fewer green card applications than it received during the quarter, contributing to increased pending inventory.
Within the I-485 categories, family-based adjustment cases account for 536,170 pending applications, representing the largest share. The Cuban adjustment category carries 327,255 pending cases and a reported median processing time of 10.4 months. These figures demonstrate continued pressure on green card adjudications across multiple eligibility paths.
For applicants seeking permanent residence through family sponsorship, humanitarian programs, or employment-based categories, sustained disparities between receipts and completions may translate into longer wait periods for interview scheduling, medical review, and final determinations.
Affirmative Asylum and Family Preference Queues Remain Elevated
Beyond waivers and adjustment filings, other large-volume categories continue to shape the backlog landscape. The affirmative asylum (Form I-589) queue stands at approximately 1.42 million pending applications. In the family-based petition context, the “All Other” I-130 preference category holds roughly 1.58 million pending cases.
Each of these inventories affects downstream processing stages. Approved I-130 petitions are often a prerequisite to immigrant visa issuance or adjustment of status, and prolonged adjudication may delay eligibility for subsequent steps. Similarly, extended wait times in the affirmative asylum context may impact employment authorization timelines and long-term immigration stability for applicants and their dependent family members.
Operational Implications for Employers and Families
The FY2026 first quarter data reflects a continuing pattern in which USCIS intake exceeds output across several major form types. For employers sponsoring foreign nationals, increased I-485 wait times may delay portability decisions, employment authorization renewals tied to pending applications, and long-term workforce planning.
For families, extended waiver and petition processing timelines directly affect reunification. Applicants navigating inadmissibility issues must often wait for waiver adjudication before a consular interview or final green card approval can proceed. Similarly, individuals in high-volume adjustment categories may experience longer periods of uncertainty while applications remain pending.
Broader Processing Trends and Monitoring
The first quarter report provides a snapshot of current operational metrics, including receipts, completions, pending inventories, and median processing times. While some categories continue to move forward at steady rates, others show widening gaps between incoming cases and adjudications.
Immigration Professional Association is closely monitoring these developments as additional quarterly data is released. Ongoing evaluation of USCIS performance metrics is essential for stakeholders. This will enable them to determine if processing capacity improves, stabilizes, or experiences additional strain for the rest of FY2026.
