Methodology
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In order to determine the U.S. locations most impacted by the new USCIS family green card policy shift, researchers at Manifest Law analyzed the latest data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Immigration and Citizenship Data. Researchers ranked locations by the total pending Form I-485 family-based applications in fiscal year 2025—commonly referred to as “family green cards.” In the event of a tie, locations with greater total pending family sponsorship petitions—Form I-130 applications, which are petitions for alien relatives to establish the family relationship and are a precursor for the beneficiary to proceed with visa processing—were ranked higher. For additional context, researchers also included the total family green card approvals and denials, as well as the share of green card approvals that are family-based.
For complete results, see Which U.S. Cities Have the Most Family Green Card Holders? on Manifest Law.
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