USCIS Denied Over 35,000 Green Card Work Permits

In the second quarter of 2026, the agency saw a significant rise in denials for employment authorization applications.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Immigration

Isometric editorial illustration of a large steel rubber stamp on a desk, representing the bureaucratic process of US immigration authorization denials. — USCIS denied over 35,000 work permit applications in the second quarter of 2026, marking a 44 percent denial rate for applicants. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Between April 1 and June 30, 2026, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services denied 35,767 I-765 employment authorization applications from green card applicants. This figure indicates a sharp rise in the denial rate to 44 percent during the quarter.

Why it matters

The surge in denials significantly impacts green card applicants who rely on these authorizations to maintain legal employment while awaiting residency status. With the denial rate jumping from 25 percent to 44 percent, many individuals face heightened uncertainty regarding their ability to work legally in the country.

USCIS recorded 35,767 denials for I-765 adjustment of status applications, a volume that exceeded the combined total of the first two quarters of the fiscal year. The rejection rate reached 44 percent, compared to 25 percent in the prior period.

The players

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

This is the federal agency responsible for overseeing the lawful immigration system and processing petitions for employment authorization.

The details

USCIS processed 153,039 I-765 filings during the second quarter of 2026, leaving 671,362 cases pending by the end of June. Beyond employment authorizations, the agency processed other forms, including family-based I-485 petitions which saw 12,240 denials and a median processing time of 7 months.

From April 1 to June 30, 2026, USCIS recorded the quarterly petition figures.

Political Context

Advocacy groups and immigration attorneys have expressed concern that these high denial rates create unnecessary administrative burdens for applicants. Conversely, some policy proponents argue that stricter application reviews are essential to ensure the integrity of the federal immigration system.

Applicants currently awaiting approval on their I-765 forms may face longer wait times and a higher likelihood of denial than in previous months. This shift may force families to seek alternative legal counsel or adjust their financial planning to account for potential gaps in work authorization.

The takeaway

The sharp increase in work permit denials highlights a challenging environment for those navigating the US residency process. Applicants should ensure their documentation is precise and consult with legal experts to minimize the risk of rejection during these shifts in administrative processing.