Work-permit denials in the headlines: what green-card applicants should know

What the reports say

Reporting published October 13–14 describes 35,767 denials and 46,405 approvals of adjustment-of-status-based Form I-765 requests during April–June 2026. Those figures yield a denial share of about 43.5% among approvals and denials combined, commonly rounded to 44%. The Financial Express reports an earlier share near 25%.

The same reporting lists 153,039 new filings and 671,362 pending requests in that category. Filings, decisions, and pending inventory measure different things: decisions made during a quarter can concern applications filed earlier.

What a headline cannot tell you

This is a reported work-permit decision rate, not a green-card denial rate. The figures concern one I-765 category and should not be applied to all immigration applications. They also do not establish why individual cases were denied or predict your outcome. A pending case is not a denied case.

Without a breakdown of the reasons for denial, these totals alone cannot show that every denial resulted from a new enforcement policy. An EAD decision also should not be treated as proof of an ICE enforcement action.

Keep your work permit and green-card case separate

USCIS identifies Form I-765 as the application used by eligible people to request employment authorization and an Employment Authorization Document. Its EAD guidance includes people with a pending Form I-485 among applicants who may need to request authorization. Check the official instructions for your category rather than assuming that filing a green-card application gives permission to work.

DFW client preparation checklist

• Gather your records: your work-permit card, receipt notices, application copies, and any decision or request for evidence.
• Write down the dates: card expiration, notice dates, response deadlines, and scheduled court or agency appointments.
• Ask for an individual review: have counsel explain your eligibility category, current work authorization, and any options identified in a denial notice.
• Check before acting: discuss employment, renewal, travel, or a change in case strategy with counsel. Do not rely on a news statistic to make those decisions.

Processing times and other reported figures

Mwadosho’s article also reports 671,362 pending adjustment-based work-permit applications with a 6.4-month median processing time, and 727,371 pending naturalization applications with a 9.5-month median. Historical medians describe a group of cases; they are not a promised completion date for your case.

One important distinction: the article describes a 7% I-485 denial rate broadly. The Financial Express table identifies that figure specifically with employment-based adjustment applications and reports 18% for family-based adjustment applications. Those categories should not be combined into a single rate.

The article also mentions financial assessments and anticipated fee changes. Before submitting any filing, confirm the current official USCIS instructions and fees with counsel; a news report is not a substitute for the requirements applicable to your filing.

How DFW & Associates can help

Our office partners with immigration attorneys throughout the United States to assist clients in navigating complex immigration laws and processes. We can help organize your concerns for review with partnering counsel. Legal advice and representation are provided by the retained licensed attorney.

Speak with our office: 323-909-4262 ↗