Religious Workers Face Green Card Crisis

Religious organizations are pressuring Congress and the Biden administration to rectify a sudden procedural change that disrupts green card processing for religious workers. The Catholic Diocese of Paterson, among others, has sued federal agencies, citing severe impact on clergy and their congregations. The backlog has resulted in untenable delays.

Religious organizations are rallying against a recent procedural shift in green card processing that threatens the livelihoods of thousands of religious workers in the United States.

The Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit against federal immigration agencies, citing major disruptions to clergy and their communities. With legal status expiring as soon as next spring, five priests are at risk, posing a significant threat to the hundreds of thousands of Catholics they serve.

The changes have caused extensive delays, with some green card processes now extending up to 15 years. Religious groups across faiths are lobbying for legislative and administrative fixes, including the ability for applicants to change jobs without losing their place in line. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church and other organizations continue to hope for temporary measures to alleviate the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)