TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — A new study reveals the green card backlog is hitting families hard, including here in Tampa Bay. More than 9,600 families are still waiting as federal immigration policies keep changing.

Manifest Law gathered data nationwide on the backlog of green card cases. It says Tampa ranks 8th in the nation, putting the lives of thousands on pause.

“There’s always something different. More and more obstacles,” said one immigrant who didn’t want to share his name.

He and many others are living at the will of the federal government’s rules when it comes to their green card status.

“We’re talking about children under 21, and spouses of U.S. citizens that might not have the ability to be reunited with their family,” said Ana Urizar, an Immigration Attorney with Manifest Law. “People are losing their jobs because their work permits are not being renewed on time.”

She said green card requirements are extremely high, the fee’s have increased, and said a lack a resources puts cases on hold. A recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo said people with extraordinary circumstances can apply in the U.S., but everyone else has to apply outside the country. That’s not easy with a travel ban on 75 countries.

“So what do people do? We have millions of people who are under this list that don’t have the ability to get a green card from abroad because they’re born in a country that’s banned,” said Urizar. “How practical it is for families to separate, how practical that is for people who have established a life in the U.S., have a job, are paying taxes, have degrees to just tell them to pick up and leave when they have a career here. So a lot of confusion, a lot of lack of guidance. It’s doesn’t leave people with a lot of options.”

This man said it seems like the process just keeps getting harder.

“So many barriers, and all we want is to be productive, stay active, and contribute,” he said.

The attorney said unless congress takes action, she doesn’t see relief coming to the backlog of cases.

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