In a move that’s stirred deep concern in immigration circles, U.S. President Donald Trump has dissolved the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman. This agency played a vital role in resolving complicated visa-related cases and supported thousands of immigrants each year.
The decision directly affects green card applicants, international students on F-1 visas, and professionals on H-1B visas—many of whom come from India.
⚠️ Immigrants Lose a Key Lifeline
According to immigration attorney Rajiv S. Khanna, visa holders often relied on the Ombudsman when faced with bureaucratic delays or errors that threatened their legal standing in the U.S. “This move endangers livelihoods,” Khanna warned, noting the office helped with disputes that could derail immigration status.
In 2024 alone, the office handled around 30,000 requests related to processing errors and application delays, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
🧭 Transparency and Accountability at Risk
Experts say the shutdown will make the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) less accountable and transparent. Previously, the Ombudsman’s office worked closely with USCIS to organize public workshops, publish guidelines, and escalate unresolved issues for timely resolution.
With its removal—along with two other immigration control bodies—immigrants now have fewer avenues to report grievances or push for administrative improvements.
📉 Despite Improvements, Office Closed
Ironically, the CIS Ombudsman’s 2024 annual report noted significant progress: a 15% reduction in both case backlogs and processing delays. The office’s closure comes despite this measurable success and ongoing need for oversight within a complex, delay-prone immigration system.
Accountable to the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, the CIS Ombudsman had the authority to identify patterns of dysfunction in USCIS processes and recommend reforms. Its absence could deepen existing flaws in the U.S. immigration system.
