Attorneys say new FBI background checks could mean more waiting for immigrants already facing delays

A long wait after a painful tragedy

Ramón Pérez Ponce is in immigration processing after applying for a T visa, a form of protection that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provides to victims of severe human trafficking.

Pérez Ponce survived the May 14, 2024, Marion County farmworker crash near Ocala that claimed the lives of eight coworkers and injured dozens, as broader immigration screening changes affect pending applications.

New screening rules expand federal checks

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed it is tightening reviews for pending immigration applications by expanding Federal Bureau of Investigation database searches connected to applicants already waiting within the immigration system.

Previously, USCIS background checks included fingerprint screening and FBI name checks to review identity and criminal records. Authorities now use the FBI’s Next Generation Identification system with broader criminal-history search capabilities.

Millions of pending cases face added pressure

Roughly 11.6 million to nearly 12 million immigration applications remain pending across the United States, reflecting a substantial backlog that existed before the latest screening changes were introduced.

Applicants expecting updates this year may face additional uncertainty as expanded background checks are processed, raising concerns that already lengthy wait times could extend further for many families.

Executive order reshapes immigration processing

The stricter screening procedures are connected to an executive order signed in February by Donald Trump. The policy affects many immigration categories that already carry significant processing backlogs across the country.

Applications connected to asylum, green cards, and United States citizenship can all be impacted by the additional reviews. The broader database checks add another layer to cases that many immigrants expected were already moving toward completion.

Fun fact: Donald Trump received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2007 for ‘The Apprentice’, years before his presidency officially began.

Officials defend the tougher review process

Agency spokesperson Zach Kahler said immigration processing continues while officials apply enhanced background screening procedures, adding that delays tied to the updated review process should eventually be resolved after implementation settles.

Kahler emphasized that immigration authorities consider public safety a major priority, arguing that expanded checks strengthen security while applications move through the system despite concerns raised by attorneys and immigration advocates.

Attorneys question the need for extra checks

Florida immigration attorney Laura Quintero believes fingerprint screening should already satisfy background investigation requirements because applicants previously completed criminal history reviews before reaching advanced stages of their immigration cases.

Quintero said more applicants are becoming stuck after immigration interviews, even when evidence appears complete and approvals once seemed likely, while frustration grows over vague responses from immigration authorities about delayed files.

Applicants struggle to get clear answers

Quintero said attorneys contacting immigration officials about stalled applications are repeatedly told cases remain in the background check process, while legal representatives receive little additional information explaining the continuing delays.

The attorney believes limited communication creates anxiety for immigrants facing uncertainty about their futures, as applicants expecting final decisions now feel trapped in another stage without predictable timelines or explanations.

Little-known fact: Donald Trump was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 after years of memorable appearances in professional wrestling.

One green card case enters another delay

Quintero described an Ecuadorian woman whose green card process had already cleared major milestones before the new screening changes added another delay. Her case remains under review.

Her husband’s immigration petition had already been approved, but officials still require an additional background review before her green card application can move forward.

Community groups prepare families for emergencies

Vicky Obando said advocacy organizations in Pinellas County are helping immigrant families prepare for emergencies connected to stricter immigration enforcement policies introduced during the past year.

Her organization assists families in organizing important paperwork and creating plans in case a parent faces detention or deportation proceedings. Advocates say preparation has become increasingly necessary as enforcement powers and immigration directives continue expanding.

Immigration officers gained broader authority

In September 2025, a USCIS rule created special agents with expanded authority to carry firearms, make arrests, and execute search and arrest warrants during immigration-related investigations.

The expanded enforcement role increased concern among immigrant communities already worried about delays and deportation risks. Advocacy groups say stricter screening and stronger enforcement powers heightened fear for many waiting families.

Families organize documents for uncertain situations

Obando explained that her organization encourages families to gather personal records and establish powers of attorney so that relatives can respond quickly if immigration emergencies arise in their households or communities.

Advocates say these preparations are designed to reduce confusion during stressful situations involving arrests or removal orders. They advise families to plan carefully rather than scrambling for critical paperwork during unexpected immigration actions.

Court ruling offers limited protection

On April 28, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration cannot jail immigrants without allowing them to request bond, according to reporting from the Associated Press regarding the legal decision.

The ruling provided one procedural safeguard during the tightening of immigration enforcement. Still, immigrants remain worried because expanded screening requirements and application delays continue affecting people awaiting legal immigration decisions nationwide.

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Lawyers urge immigrants not to give up

Lisette Sanchez warned that some applicants could face very long waiting periods unless they eventually pursue federal lawsuits to pressure movement on delayed immigration cases within the government system.

Despite the uncertainty, Sanchez continues encouraging immigrants not to abandon their applications or stop seeking legal status. Through interviews and social media, she urges people to remain engaged with their cases instead of losing hope.

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What stands out more in this immigration debate, the new FBI background checks causing longer delays, or the broader concerns over fairness, transparency, family uncertainty, and access to legal status? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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