May 01, 2026
USCIS Update: Adjudication Holds & New Vetting Process
USCIS has implemented a new security vetting process effective April 27, 2026, which has resulted in temporary “holds” on many immigration adjudications pending in field offices nationwide. This change may require USICS’s internal re‑submission of fingerprints for pending cases that completed FBI checks before April 27, potentially causing processing delays across multiple case types.
Additional important update regarding 39 “travel ban” USCIS adjudication pause: USCIS has now confirmed an internal, multi‑office review process to lift holds on individual and group cases previously subject to a pause for citizens and nationals of one of 39 “travel ban” countries. Holds have already been lifted for the following categories:
- Individuals vetted through Operation PARRIS
• Certain petitions filed by U.S. citizens
• Intercountry adoption filings
• Rescheduled naturalization oath ceremonies in specific cases
• Statutory and regulatory decision issuance
• Refugee registrations for South African citizens/nationals
• Certain Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) petitions
• Certain employment authorization document (EAD) applications
• Asylum applications from non–high risk countries
• Applications associated with medical physicians
USCIS has stated that it continues to review all application types and will lift holds for additional individual and group cases as appropriate. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation and advising clients on case‑specific impacts.
If you have questions about how this may affect your immigration matter, our team is here to help.