Florida Leads the Nation With More Than 55,000 Pending Family Green Card Cases

Florida has the highest number of pending family-based green card applications in the United States, according to a new analysis by Manifest Law using data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The report found that USCIS field offices across Florida had 55,512 pending family-based adjustment of status applications in fiscal year 2025, placing the state ahead of California, which ranked second with 48,028 pending cases. Texas followed with 39,183 applications, while New York reported 35,919.

The findings are especially significant for immigrant communities in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Oakland Park and West Palm Beach, where many families are waiting for decisions that could provide permanent legal status and greater long-term stability.

Nationwide, pending family green card applications reached 543,486 in 2025, the highest total on record and an increase of 180% compared with 2015. USCIS also approved a record 433,071 family-based green card applications during the fiscal year, up 73% over the same 10-year period.

Denials rose as well, reaching 62,389 nationwide. The simultaneous rise in approvals, denials and pending applications suggests that USCIS is completing more cases, but new demand continues to outpace the system’s ability to reduce the backlog.In Florida, USCIS approved 40,694 family-based green card applications and denied 4,178.

 Family sponsorship accounted for 58% of all green card approvals processed within the state, highlighting the central role family reunification plays in Florida’s immigration system.

The analysis also raises concerns about recent federal policy guidance that may change how some applications are handled.

According to Manifest Law, more applicants seeking permanent residence from inside the United States could be directed to complete their cases through consular processing abroad rather than through adjustment of status within the country.

Such a change could create new uncertainty for families already waiting, particularly when leaving the United States may carry immigration risks. Each case, however, depends on individual circumstances, including the applicant’s immigration history, manner of entry, family category and visa availability.

Immigration professionals recommend that applicants seek qualified legal advice before traveling abroad, abandoning a pending application or making decisions based on general policy reports.

For thousands of Florida families, the growing backlog represents more than a statistic. It reflects months or years of waiting for work stability, family unity and the opportunity to build a permanent future in the United States.