The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is asking employees to consider retiring early or prepare to be laid off. If employees are fired in this manner, the system will be understaffed and the delays in processing of immigration will only grow.
An internal communication has warned employees of layoffs if they choose not to opt for retirement.
What is concerning is that the immigration system which had become more efficient since 2021—with a new administration hiring thousands of support staff, raising fees for financial strength, and improving processes and workflows—is now in danger of accumulating backlogs and suffering delays again. In the past people often had to weight for about eight months for their papers to be processed but post 2021 things had improved and processing time was reduced to just a few weeks with more hands on deck. Now, with this ‘retire or get fired’ warning, there is risk of matters returning to chaos and delays.
Interestingly, USCIS gets its funds from the application fees paid by customers and not by tax money.
The US administration has also introduced a new rule requiring all immigrants to carry proof of their legal status at all times. As per new rules, the Alien Registration Requirement (ARR), which originates from the Alien Registration Act of 1940 will be strictly implemented. This law requires immigrants to register. Those arriving in the US on or after 11 April 2025 must register within 30 days of arrival. Failure to comply may result in fines, imprisonment, or both. While those possessing valid work visas or a green card will not have to fill the form again, they will be required to carry the proofs with them at all times.
