USCIS Reduced Its Backlog for the First Time in Over a Decade
Summary:For the first time in 10 years, USCIS reduced its net backlog, despite having received a record 10.9 million filings. The agency also issued more than 192,000 employment-based immigrant visas – far above the pre-pandemic number – and, for the second year running ensured that no available visas went unused.In FY 2023, USCIS completed 975,800 naturalization applications, administered the Oath of Allegiance to over 878,500 individuals, including 12,000 U.S. military service members, and nearly eliminated the net backlog.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced its achievements for the fiscal year 2023, marking significant progress in its goal to improve the immigration process in the U.S.
1. Reducing Backlogs
In FY 2023, USCIS received 10.9 million filings and completed more than 10 million pending cases– both record-breaking numbers in the agency’s history. In doing so, USCIS reduced overall backlogs by 15%. Among USCIS’ record number of case completions in FY 2023, the agency administered the Oath of Allegiance to more than 878,500 new U.S. citizens, including 12,000 members of the military, effectively eliminating the backlog of naturalization applications .
The median processing time for naturalization applicants decreased from 10.5 months to 6.1 months by the end of the fiscal year.
2. Improving Customer Experience
USCIS implemented several new technology solutions that meaningfully advance the customer experience for those navigating our immigration system.
USCIS's new self-service tool for online rescheduling of biometrics appointments was used to reschedule over 33,000 appointments in FY 2023. The new enterprise change of address capabilities enabled over 430,000 address changes to be submitted online through Dec. 2023.
3. Strengthening Immigration for Workers and Employers
In FY 2023, USCIS and the Department of State helped meet the needs of U.S. employers by issuing more than 192,000 employment-based immigrant visas – far above the pre-pandemic number – and, for the second year running ensured that no available visas went unused.
4.Fulfilling Our Humanitarian Mission
USCIS continues to address growing humanitarian needs around the globe, as individuals seek protection in the United States from oppression, violence, and other urgent circumstances.
USCIS interviewed over 100,000 refugee applicants – more than double the amount completed in the previous fiscal year – resulting in the admission and resettlement of over 60,000 refugees. As of the end of FY 2023, USCIS completed more than 52,000 asylum cases; this included prioritizing process of asylum cases for Afghan alliance and their families. USCIS also completed a record-breaking 146,000 credible fear and reasonable fear screenings of individuals expressing a fear of return after being encountered at the border.
