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2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration

Data and Trends Shaping Immigration Law Case Management in 2025

For immigration attorneys, the 2025 landscape is anything but predictable, and that uncertainty doesn’t just impact cases. It also affects how and when your firm gets paid.

The 2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration gives you a clear, data-backed view of where things stand—from visa processing delays to naturalization trends—so you can better forecast timelines, manage client expectations, and protect your bottom line.

Authored by immigration attorney and Docketwise co-founder James Pittman, this report breaks down the numbers and explains what they mean for your operations, billing cycle, and financial health.

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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

Employment-based green card approvals nearly doubled between Q1 and Q3 in 2024, jumping from 18,855 to 36,211. The report explains why, helping you align case strategy and fee timing with clearer expectations.

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Processing Times Are Increasingly Unpredictable

Green cards and asylum cases saw processing windows from 5.2 to 10+ months, depending on the case type and time of year. These delays impact when milestones are met and when payments are due.

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Representation Gaps Drive Disparities and Workload

In 2024, 81% of asylum seekers without legal counsel were denied. This statistic highlights both the life-changing value of legal support—and the need for immigration firms to scale efficiently without sacrificing quality or revenue.

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Built for a Changing Immigration Practice

The 2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration offers the clarity you need to align financial workflows, client communications, and strategic planning.

  •   Clear insights into court delays and billing friction

  •  Data to help reduce write-offs and manage retainers

  •  Insight into trends that affect firm revenue

  • Who It’s For: Immigration attorneys, billing managers, legal operations professionals, and anyone responsible for firm finances in an unpredictable legal landscape.

Turn Insights Into Action With These Additional Resources

Webinar Series: Running a Financially Healthy Law Firm

Watch Now

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 E Pittman

James E. PittmanDirector, Subject Matter Expert—Immigration, AffiniPay