Family-sponsored visa delays under the Biden administration have persisted due to several compounding factors. One of the primary issues has been the backlog of visa applications that accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many U.S. consulates and embassies had to suspend routine visa services, creating significant delays for applicants seeking family reunification. Despite efforts to reopen consular services, ongoing local restrictions and staffing shortages have slowed the process of catching up with this backlog
Immigration Delays Persist at US Consulates Worldwide.
According to the September and October 2024 Visa Bulletins, the priority dates for various family-sponsored categories remain significantly delayed. For instance, the F1 category for unmarried children of U.S. citizens is currently processing applications from 2017 for most countries, while countries like Mexico and the Philippines are still handling cases from as far back as 2005 and 2015, respectively
5Visa Bulletin For September 2024
Visa Bulletin For October 2024.
Similarly, the F3 and F4 categories, which involve married children and siblings of U.S. citizens, show little movement, with some cases still dating back to the early 2000s
USCIS Updates Guidance for Family-Based Immigrant Visas | USCIS.
In response, the Biden administration has focused on policy changes to reduce these delays and streamline family reunification. For example, new initiatives aim to prioritize the processing of visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and to reduce wait times for family-sponsored immigrants
What to Expect for United States Immigration in 2024.
However, substantial backlogs still persist, particularly for applicants from countries with historically high demand, such as Mexico, India, and the Philippines
Efforts to address these delays are ongoing, but applicants may still face long wait times for visa interviews and final approvals.
Under the Biden administration, legal immigration delays have persisted, especially in the context of employment-based and family-based visas, as reflected in the October 2024 Visa Bulletin. Despite some advancements, there remain significant backlogs, particularly for applicants from countries such as India and China. For example, the EB-2 category for Indian nationals has seen little progress, with priority dates stuck around 2012, leading to prolonged wait times for highly skilled professionals. Similarly, the EB-3 category for China has retrogressed by several months, further delaying the issuance of green cards for skilled workers
Visa Bulletin For October 2024
October 2024 Visa Bulletin: Key Highlights and Implications | BIG Immigration Law Blog.
The Visa Bulletin highlights that while some employment-based categories, such as EB-5, have seen advancements for Indian and Chinese applicants, most family-based categories continue to face long delays. For instance, the F4 category for family reunification from countries like Mexico and the Philippines remains stuck at dates from the early 2000s
Visa Bulletin For October 2024
Immigration Delays Persist at US Consulates Worldwide.
One of the main challenges has been the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly reduced the capacity of U.S. embassies and consulates to process visa applications. Despite efforts by the Biden administration to clear the backlog, the priority given to certain visa types, such as those for urgent business travel or family reunification, means that many applicants still face long waiting periods
Immigration Delays Persist at US Consulates Worldwide.
This situation is particularly frustrating for U.S. employers who rely on foreign talent, as the delays in employment-based visa processing hinder workforce planning. However, some relief comes from the ability to file for Adjustment of Status, allowing certain applicants to secure work and travel authorizations while waiting for their priority dates to become current
October 2024 Visa Bulletin: Green Card Waiting Times Update – Shepelsky Law.
Overall, while some progress has been made, particularly with the lifting of certain pandemic-related restrictions, significant delays remain, and applicants and employers must navigate an increasingly complex and prolonged immigration system.