Leases are legally binding, but in some situations, you can legally break your lease without penalties . Don’t let a landlord scare you into staying when you have the law on your side. 1. Legal Reasons to Break a Lease Unsafe living conditions Landlord harassment Active military duty (under SCRA) Domestic violence protection laws Job relocation over 50+ miles (in some states) 2. Required Steps Give written notice Provide documentation (e.g., military orders, police report) Follow your state’s legal timeline (usually 30 days) 3. What If It's Not a Legal Reason? Negotiate early termination Sublet if allowed Pay a lease-break fee (if reasonable) Final Thought: Know your rights. Some leases are breakable—especially if your health, safety, or legal protections are at risk.
In 2025, green card processing times remain a concern for many applicants due to pandemic backlogs and staffing challenges at USCIS. While some family-based categories are seeing modest improvements, employment-based applications are still experiencing delays of 12–24 months in many cases. What can you do? Check the USCIS visa bulletin regularly. Submit complete applications to avoid RFE (Request for Evidence). Consider premium processing if eligible. Pro Tip: Green card hopefuls from countries like India, Mexico, and China should pay close attention to country-specific priority dates, which remain retrogressed. Conclusion: Although backlogs are still present, the Biden administration has allocated more funding to USCIS, which may ease wait times in late 2025 and beyond.