Immigrants & Immigration

This means USCIS has decided to not make any final decisions on new or pending cases. USCIS will not approve or deny To refuse or say no any of the applicable cases.

A pause on final decisions means that other parts of the case will still proceed. This includes the scheduling of biometrics appointments and interviews. People must appear for any appointments USCIS schedules for them during the pause. USCIS will just not make a final decision on the case until after the pause lifts.

Diversity visa holders with pending adjustment of status applications

A person who enters on a diversity visa may apply for adjustment of status. This means they are applying to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR or green card holder). As of December 19, 2025, pending adjustment of status applications filed by diversity visa holders are paused. This pause applies to the processing of the main Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and other forms that might have been filed with the adjustment of status application. This can include an application for employment authorization (Form I-765), a request for advance parole A release from prison. It allows someone to serve time outside of prison as long as they follow certain conditions. (Form I-131), an application for an inadmissibility waiver A document that gives up a legal right or excuses a requirement (Form I-601), and others.

The pause applies to all diversity visa holders, regardless of their nationality.

Note: The Diversity Visa program was suspended on December 23, 2025. The Department of State (DOS) is no longer granting visas under this program.

Refugees with pending adjustment of status applications

Refugees may apply for LPR status after one year of being in refugee status. Any pending adjustment of status applications filed by refugees between January 21, 2021 and February 20, 2025 are now paused. No final decisions will be made for adjustment of status applications filed between those dates by refugees. The pause applies to all refugees, regardless of their nationality.

Pause lifted - Pending applications for nationals of the DOS travel bans

As of June 5, 2026, USCIS began processing applications from nationals of DOS travel ban countries. This is because of a recent court hearing. When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer Previously, all pending USCIS applications for people of over 35 DOS banned countries were paused. Learn more about the DOS travel ban and which countries are included.

Pause lifted - Pending asylum applications

As of June 5, 2026, USCIS has lifted all asylum case pauses. Previously, all pending asylum cases with USCIS were paused. Because of recent litigation, asylum cases for people from all countries are now proceeding with USCIS.

Yes. The current pauses only stop USCIS from making a final decision on an application. They do not prevent people subject to these pauses from filing new applications.

Consider speaking to a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice about your individual case if you want to file a new application that’s a part of these pauses.

Other parts of the case should still be moving. For example, biometrics appointments and interviews will be scheduled. People must appear for any appointments USCIS schedules for them during the pause. USCIS will just not make a final decision on the case until after the pause is lifted.

Even though the policy lets the other parts of cases continue to proceed, the pause in final decisions likely means the other parts of the process will be slowed or delayed.

This means USCIS is going to review cases that have already been closed. They can decide to interview or re-interview people whose cases have already been closed. USCIS can also ask for more evidence. Anything used to show that something is true They can also come to a different conclusion. For example, they can decide to deny To refuse or say no a previously-approved case after re-review.

USCIS has not given an end date for any of the pauses currently in effect. This means these pauses will go on indefinitely until a new policy is put in place.

Some pauses have already ended through new USCIS announcements, or because of litigation.