Latest news with #BlakeMiller
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
11 million US visa backlog crushes Indian H-1B, green card dreams: Decoded
The United States is now sitting on an immigration backlog of 11.3 million pending cases—its highest ever—following a surge of 1.6 million cases in the second quarter of financial year 2025, covering January to March. This is the first major dataset published since Donald Trump returned to office, and comes from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) portal. USCIS processed just 2.7 million cases during the quarter, down from 3.3 million during the same period last year. Compared to the previous quarter alone, completions fell by 12 per cent. One of the more striking developments is the return of a 'frontlog' — over 34,000 cases were waiting to be opened or assigned, a scenario not seen in more than a year. Key forms are taking longer than ever Form I-129 (used for H-1B and L-1 employment-based visas): Median processing time jumped 25 per cent from the previous quarter, and 80 per cent year-on-year. Form I-90 (green card replacements): Wait time surged from 0.8 months to over 8 months within one quarter, marking a 938 per cent increase. Form I-765 (work permits): Pending initial applications rose 87 per cent. Total pending forms—across renewals and reissues—now exceed 2 million, up from 1.2 million. Net backlog for I-765s (cases outside processing norms): Up by nearly 181 per cent. There was some movement in the other direction for Form I-129s, which saw a 75 per cent drop in net backlog from the previous quarter. However, applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme declined by over 8,000. What this means for employers and foreign workers For foreign nationals on temporary work visas and their employers, the delays are already making daily operations uncertain. 'In some cases, candidates may not be authorised to enter the US or start work when anticipated. For employees currently maintaining status, adjudication delays may lead to a lapse in work authorisation or an inability to travel internationally,' Blake Miller, partner at Fragomen, a US-based immigration law firm told Business Standard. 'Ultimately, delayed processing causes uncertainty for employers around their workforce and for visa holders' ongoing employment and lawful immigration status.' Charles Kuck, founding partner at Kuck Baxter in Atlanta, put it bluntly: 'In simple words, people cannot start their jobs, companies cannot begin projects and growth, and visa holders cannot relocate.' 'It's all intentional,' he told Business Standard. Michael Wildes, managing partner at WILDES & WEINBERG PC, said delays now affect both first-time petitions and extensions. 'Backlogs can significantly delay approvals for both initial petitions and extensions, creating uncertainty for employers and foreign workers alike.' Indian green card applicants could face even longer waits For Indian nationals, the situation is compounded by the existing per-country limits for green cards. In FY2023, about 73 per cent of approved H-1Bs (new and continuing) were to Indian-born workers. Approximately 78,070 received lawful permanent residence (a green card). 'Indian green card applicants, already facing long wait times due to per-country limits, may see even further delays in adjudication of adjustment of status or consular interviews. These delays can affect work authorisation renewals and create added stress for families waiting to reunite,' Wildes told Business Standard. Miller pointed out that those already in the US on other visas such as the H-1B might not feel the pinch immediately. 'In many cases, delays in green card adjudications—whether through adjustment of status or consular processing—do not immediately affect individuals who hold another form of US immigration status or work authorisation.' Kuck noted that consular processing is slowing dramatically, adding, 'The data reflects a troubling slowdown in processing that undermines predictability and transparency in the immigration system.' Blame on staff cuts, enforcement shift, and new policies 'The Trump administration has told USCIS to slow down processing of cases,' Kuck said. 'Predictably, the system has quickly developed massive backlogs. By the end of 2028, we will pine for the days of a functioning legal immigration system because it will effectively not exist by the end of the Trump term.' He attributed the growing backlog to a mix of policy choices: 'Starting with the staff reductions ordered at the USCIS (which is funded by user fees, not tax dollars), followed by seeking 'volunteers' from USCIS to assist ICE in enforcement efforts, which then leads to the administration's effort to find fraud in every application, slowing down processing times.' 'There is zero per cent chance that processing times will speed up at any time under this administration,' Kuck said. Workarounds and suggestions for Indian applicants Some applicants are choosing to pay extra for premium processing, where available. 'Some employers may choose to use premium processing, when available, to help ensure timely adjudication of petitions,' said Miller. However, that may not be enough. 'Unless there is a meaningful increase in staffing, technological efficiency, or congressional support, delays are likely to persist,' said Wildes. He added, 'The backlog is largely driven by a combination of insufficient staffing, outdated processing systems, and inconsistent policy shifts that strain agency resources. Budgetary constraints and rising application volumes compound the problem.' For those still planning to apply for work, study or family-based immigration, Wildes suggested exploring more than one pathway: 'For those with flexibility, exploring multiple pathways—including consular routes or alternate visa categories—can help mitigate risk.' Kuck had a more candid list of dos and don'ts for Indian applicants: • Get a good, experienced lawyer who will tell you the truth • Listen to your lawyer • Be prepared for long delays at USCIS and the consulate • Always bring a lawyer with you to interviews
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: David Bailey School: Texas Tech Height/Weight: 6-3/240 lbs. Player Background - 4-Star Recruit - All-American in High School - Brother played football at Harvard - Transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 111 Tackles - 23 Tackles for a Loss - 14.5 Sacks - 7 Forced Fumbles Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 62.6 PFF Run Defense Grade - 81.6 PFF Pass Rush Grade - 11 QB Hits - 65 QB Hurries - 48 Defensive Stops Player Traits - Uses his length to gain leverage over OL - Played well against Clemson and OT Blake Miller - Explodes off the snap to catch OL off guard - Quick hands to get a swim move or hand fight in to disengage blockers - Gets to the ball often in the backfield to force fumbles Player Summary David Bailey was not used as much as I had hoped when watching the Stanford defense, which may be why he is transferring to Texas Tech. Bailey, when on the field, demonstrates explosive traits and an athletic ability that should have draft evaluators drooling if he tests well and goes to an All-Star game next January. He has good length that he uses to gain leverage and leave offensive tackles scrambling. He demonstrated this well against Clemson's Blake Miller, who has first-round potential as a prospect. Bailey impressed me with his quick hands, though, and his ability to get to the ball and force fumbles. He should see a lot of development come the end of the season if the Red Raiders use him more than Stanford did.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: David Bailey School: Texas Tech Height/Weight: 6-3/240 lbs. Player Background - 4-Star Recruit - All-American in High School - Brother played football at Harvard - Transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 111 Tackles - 23 Tackles for a Loss - 14.5 Sacks - 7 Forced Fumbles Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 62.6 PFF Run Defense Grade - 81.6 PFF Pass Rush Grade - 11 QB Hits - 65 QB Hurries - 48 Defensive Stops Player Traits - Uses his length to gain leverage over OL - Played well against Clemson and OT Blake Miller - Explodes off the snap to catch OL off guard - Quick hands to get a swim move or hand fight in to disengage blockers - Gets to the ball often in the backfield to force fumbles Player Summary David Bailey was not used as much as I had hoped when watching the Stanford defense, which may be why he is transferring to Texas Tech. Bailey, when on the field, demonstrates explosive traits and an athletic ability that should have draft evaluators drooling if he tests well and goes to an All-Star game next January. He has good length that he uses to gain leverage and leave offensive tackles scrambling. He demonstrated this well against Clemson's Blake Miller, who has first-round potential as a prospect. Bailey impressed me with his quick hands, though, and his ability to get to the ball and force fumbles. He should see a lot of development come the end of the season if the Red Raiders use him more than Stanford did.
