Beginning on April 27, 2026, applicants and attorneys nationwide began receiving notices from USCIS offices indicating that certain case adjudications are being delayed. While initial reports suggested that adjustment of status and asylum cases were affected, further information indicates that the impact may extend to a broad range of immigration applications.
What Is Causing the Delays?
These delays appear to be the result of a new security vetting process implemented by USCIS on April 27, 2026.
As part of this change:
- Most pending applications that previously required fingerprinting will undergo updated FBI fingerprint and name checks, even if biometrics were already submitted earlier in the process
- USCIS will generally reuse existing fingerprints on file, meaning applicants will not usually be required to attend new biometrics appointments
- New cases will be subject to the updated vetting process moving forward
This development is tied to a broader federal initiative to enhance security screening procedures, including expanded access to criminal history information.
How Does This Affect Pending Cases?
This is not a complete shutdown of USCIS processing, but it does have a significant impact:
- Final approvals are being delayed for cases that require updated security clearance
- Interviews are generally still proceeding as scheduled, and those cases may be prioritized for completion of the updated background checks
- Routine processing steps may continue, but decisions may not be issued until the new vetting process is completed
USCIS has indicated that processing remains ongoing and that any delays in issuing decisions should be temporary, although no specific timeframe has been confirmed.
Scope of the Impact
The updated vetting procedures potentially affect:
- Adjustment of status (green card) applications
- Asylum applications
- Naturalization applications
- Family-based petitions
- Other applications requiring fingerprint-based background checks
Because of the volume of pending cases that rely on biometrics, this change may impact a large number of applicants nationwide.
What Applicants Should Expect
Applicants with pending cases should be prepared for:
- Delays in receiving final decisions, even if all other case steps have been completed
- Extended processing times, potentially lasting several months while background checks are updated in bulk
- Increased review of background information, including:
- Arrests that did not result in convictions
- Juvenile records
- Sealed or expunged records
There are also indications that cases expected to be denied may not be resubmitted for updated checks, which could affect how some cases move forward procedurally.
Practical Considerations
Given the uncertainty surrounding timelines, applicants should plan accordingly:
- Expect longer wait times before receiving approval notices
- Avoid making time-sensitive plans that depend on immigration benefits being granted
- Consult with an immigration attorney if there is any history of criminal charges or arrests, even if those matters were resolved, dismissed, or sealed
Looking Ahead
These changes are part of a broader review of immigration security procedures. While they may ultimately lead to more streamlined adjudication once fully implemented, the immediate effect is likely to be temporary but potentially significant delays.
We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.