Immigration backlog swells, prompting ICE to intensify raids on overstayers

Data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shows a historic surge in pending immigration applications, now totaling 12.1 million, with 7.5 million awaiting outcomes on citizenship, green cards or work permits. Another 4.4 million individuals have applied for asylum, work visas or other forms of protection. Compared with two years ago, roughly 2 million more cases are pending, and 7 million of the total have been flagged as taking longer than normal.

The backlog stems from mass retirements after the Department of Government Efficiency’s 2025 workforce reductions and a White House order for more careful adjudication. As approvals stall, some applicants risk losing legal status, creating a new pool of undocumented residents. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stepped up its focus on these individuals, increasing airport arrests from the typical 10 per one outlet to about 40, and concentrating on domestic travelers who have overstayed visas despite having no criminal history.