TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — A recent study highlights the significant impact of the green card backlog on families, including those in the Tampa Bay area. Over 9,600 families are still in limbo due to ever-evolving federal immigration policies.
According to data collected by Manifest Law, Tampa ranks as the eighth most affected city in the United States, leaving thousands of residents in uncertainty.
“There are always new challenges,” shared one immigrant who preferred to remain anonymous.
He, along with many others, finds their future subject to the shifting landscape of federal immigration regulations.
“We’re seeing situations where children under 21 and spouses of U.S. citizens are unable to reunite with their families,” explained Ana Urizar, an immigration attorney at Manifest Law. “Additionally, people are losing their jobs because their work permits aren’t being renewed promptly.”
She said green card requirements are extremely high, the fee’s have increased, and said a lack a resources puts cases on hold. A recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo said people with extraordinary circumstances can apply in the U.S., but everyone else has to apply outside the country. That’s not easy with a travel ban on 75 countries.
“So what do people do? We have millions of people who are under this list that don’t have the ability to get a green card from abroad because they’re born in a country that’s banned,” said Urizar. “How practical it is for families to separate, how practical that is for people who have established a life in the U.S., have a job, are paying taxes, have degrees to just tell them to pick up and leave when they have a career here. So a lot of confusion, a lot of lack of guidance. It’s doesn’t leave people with a lot of options.”
This man said it seems like the process just keeps getting harder.
“So many barriers, and all we want is to be productive, stay active, and contribute,” he said.
The attorney said unless congress takes action, she doesn’t see relief coming to the backlog of cases.