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2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration

Data and Trends Shaping Immigration Law Case Management in 2025

Court backlogs. Policy swings. Approval rates in flux. In today’s immigration legal casework, what worked last year may not work now. 

The 2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration helps you stay ahead with the data, context, and expert analysis you need to manage cases more confidently and support your clients through a system in transition. 

Authored by immigration attorney and Docketwise co-founder James Pittman, the report turns raw numbers into actionable takeaways you can use to:

  • Navigate shifting processing times

  • Prepare clients for what’s ahead

  • Adjust your strategy based on real trends—not guesswork

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2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration

Inside the 2025 State of Immigration Report

Approval Rates Are Volatile, but Predictable with Context

In 2024, employment-based green card approvals jumped from just 18,855 in Q1 to 36,211 in Q3—nearly doubling in two quarters. These swings weren’t random. The report unpacks what drove the changes and shows how to adjust your timelines and client expectations accordingly.

Review the Full Landscape

Processing Times Aren’t Getting Easier

From green card applications to asylum adjudications, 2024 processing times ranged from 5.2 to over 10 months, depending on the case and quarter. This report helps you spot timing trends, manage deadlines more effectively, and set realistic expectations with clients using reliable, up-to-date benchmarks.

Explore Court Trends

Representation Gaps Are Driving Case Outcomes

In 2024, asylum seekers without legal representation were denied 81% of the time, while those with counsel had dramatically higher success rates. The report underscores the critical importance of case preparation, documentation, and timely follow-up, especially for firms handling vulnerable or high-risk client populations.

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Make Sense of a Shifting Immigration Landscape

The 2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration delivers the clarity and data-driven context you need to manage cases confidently.

  • Work Smarter, Not Harder: Understand how processing delays, court outcomes, and policy shifts are shaping case timelines and client expectations.

  • Insights That Connect to Daily Practice: Authored by immigration attorney and Docketwise co-founder James Pittman, the report turns raw government data into useful insights.

  • Stay Ahead of What’s Next: From naturalization trends to asylum outcomes, learn what’s changed and where you can make the greatest impact for your clients.

Who It’s For: Immigration attorneys, legal staff, practice managers, and anyone managing casework in a fast-changing environment.

81% of asylum seekers without legal representation were denied in 2024

Turn Insights Into Action With These Additional Resources

Webinar Series: Running a Financially Healthy Law Firm

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Work Smarter With All-in-One Immigration Law Software

Learn More

Immigration Uncovered: The Official Docketwise Video Podcast

Listen Now

More than just a collection of data, this report provides expert insights, visual breakdowns, and key takeaways to help make sense of the numbers in the broader legal and policy context.

James PittmanDirector, Subject Matter Expert— Immigration at AffiniPay and Co-founder of Docketwise, an AffiniPay solution.