Immigration Law Blog

The DOJ activated the Alien Terrorist Removal Court for the first time to consider deportation of a noncitizen on national security grounds.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The government has filed a petition with the ATRC to deport a noncitizen on national security grounds.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Noncitizens facing national security-related deportation and their counsel.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline; monitor for further filings and hearings as ATRC proceedings move forward.
• Next Steps: Seek experienced immigration counsel to understand ATRC procedures, potential sealed proceedings, and defenses specific to national security cases.

USCIS has announced that family-sponsored adjustment filings must use the Dates for Filing chart and employment-based filings must use the Final Action Dates chart for August 2026, while the State Department warns DV-2026 selectees of the impending September 30 deadline.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: For August 2026, family-sponsored adjustment applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart, while employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Individuals planning to file an adjustment of status application in August 2026 and all DV-2026 lottery selectees.
• Timeline for Action: August 1, 2026 for adjustment filings; DV-2026 selectees must complete processing before September 30, 2026.
• Next Steps: Review your priority date against the designated August chart and prepare your application if eligible; DV-2026 selectees should promptly finalize processing and seek guidance if documents are missing or deadlines are tight.

DHS rescinds the 2022 public charge regulation, potentially broadening factors considered in green card inadmissibility determinations.

What This Means for You:

This policy reversal means green card applicants may face a more comprehensive review of their financial circumstances and use of public benefits. Family-based petitioners and adjustment of status applicants should prepare stronger evidence of self-sufficiency, including affidavits of support and income documentation.

Consult an immigration attorney to understand how the updated framework could impact pending or future applications. USCIS is expected to issue revised guidance and possibly updated forms in the coming months.

USCIS confirms FY 2027 H-1B regular and master’s caps reached; no second lottery. Cap-subject filings closed; cap-exempt filings remain viable; plan for unselected candidates.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: USCIS has officially filled the FY 2027 H-1B quota, and there will be no second lottery selection this year.
• Who Should Be Concerned: U.S. employers and foreign national professionals whose H-1B registrations were not selected in the initial FY 2027 lottery.
• Timeline for Action: Immediate; cap-subject filings are closed, so alternative planning must begin now.
• Next Steps: Review unselected candidates with your immigration attorney to explore alternative work authorization options, such as L-1, O-1, TN, or cap-exempt H-1B employment, or prepare for the FY 2028 cap season.

DHS rescinds 2022 public-charge rule; broader discretionary review takes effect Sept 18, 2026; revised Form I-485 required for filings on/after that date.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: USCIS is implementing a stricter, highly discretionary public-charge review standard and requiring a new Form I-485 for adjustment of status applications.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Foreign nationals preparing to file for a green card (adjustment of status) from within the United States, as well as their family or employer sponsors.
• Timeline for Action: The rule and the new Form I-485 requirement take effect on September 18, 2026.
• Next Steps: Work closely with immigration counsel to thoroughly document financial independence, review past benefit usage, and ensure any Form I-485 filed on or after September 18 uses the new edition.

D/S admissions end; fixed admission periods introduced (generally 4 years for F/J; 240 days for I); EOS required; 30-day post-completion grace for F-1; transition provisions in place.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Open-ended "duration of status" admissions are ending; F, J, and I visa holders will now face fixed expiration dates and formal USCIS extension requirements.
• Who Should Be Concerned: International students (F-1), exchange visitors (J-1), foreign media representatives (I), and the academic or sponsoring institutions hosting them.
• Timeline for Action: The final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026; transition provisions apply to those already in the U.S., but planning must begin immediately.
• Next Steps: Current and prospective students or exchange visitors should contact their designated school officials or program sponsors to understand their new fixed admission dates and prepare for the costs and timelines of filing USCIS extensions if their programs exceed four years.

USCIS's new signature policy requires careful review of signatures on all filings; invalid signatures can lead to denial or delay; electronic signatures allowed only through USCIS processes; keep original signatures and audit filings.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: USCIS may reject or deny a filing submitted on or after July 10, 2026 if it later finds that a required signature is invalid.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Applicants, petitioners, employers, beneficiaries, preparers, interpreters, and representatives submitting USCIS benefit requests.
• Timeline for Action: Effective now for benefit requests filed on or after July 10, 2026.
• Next Steps: Audit every signature before filing, use only authorized signature methods, follow form-specific instructions, and retain the original hand-signed document.

New OEWS wage data for 2026-27 affects wage determinations for H-1B, PERM, and related filings; employers must verify current wages and adjust filings; outdated wages may jeopardize filings.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: New federal prevailing-wage data is now in effect for many employment-based immigration filings.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Employers, HR teams, foreign workers, and counsel preparing H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, PERM, or related wage-dependent filings.
• Timeline for Action: Effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; recheck wages before the next affected filing.
• Next Steps: Confirm the current occupation, wage level, and worksite rate, compare it with the offered and actual wage, and resolve any shortfall before filing.

USCIS final alien-registration rule clarifies who must register and act; preserving Form G-325R process; action required for certain stays; not a status grant.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The final rule keeps the Form G-325R system in effect and clarifies who is already registered and who must act.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Unregistered noncitizens staying at least 30 days, parents or guardians of covered children, children turning 14, and adults who must carry proof.
• Timeline for Action: Register before 30 days of presence when required; previously registered children generally must re-register within 30 days after turning 14.
• Next Steps: Review visa, I-94, EAD, parole, green-card, or other records, use the USCIS determination tool, and obtain case-specific advice before filing Form G-325R.

USCIS issued superseding TPS-based EAD guidance extending Haitian TPS through July 24, 2026 and six other countries through July 17, 2026, with immediate I-9/E-Verify steps for employers and employees.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Qualifying Haitian TPS EADs are valid through July 24, 2026, while qualifying EADs from Burma, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen are valid through July 17, 2026.
• Who Should Be Concerned: TPS beneficiaries from the seven listed countries, their employers, and HR or Form I-9 compliance teams.
• Timeline for Action: Act immediately; the first listed extension expires July 17, 2026, and Haiti’s expires July 24, 2026, unless USCIS issues another update.
• Next Steps: Match the EAD to the country-specific USCIS notice, update Form I-9 and E-Verify exactly as directed, retain supporting guidance, and monitor USCIS daily.

USCIS moved I-131 and G-325A filings from Montclair to lockboxes; grace period through Aug 6, 2026 with rejections starting Aug 7.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Certain parole-in-place and re-parole Form I-131 filings and eligible Form G-325A deferred-action requests must now go to a USCIS lockbox, not Montclair.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Applicants, military families, deferred-action requestors, parole applicants, and representatives preparing affected paper filings.
• Timeline for Action: Use the new address now; Montclair accepts affected filings only when postmarked by August 6, 2026 and rejects them beginning August 7.
• Next Steps: Confirm the correct lockbox on the current USCIS form page, verify the form edition and payment method, retain tracking, and review any recently mailed Montclair package.

USCIS vacated policy memoranda related to application holds following a federal court order, resuming processing of previously stalled cases.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: USCIS has officially vacated policies that allowed them to place broad holds on certain applications, following a federal court order.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Immigrants whose applications have been significantly delayed or placed on hold under the vacated policy memoranda (PM 602-0192, PM 602-0194, and PA 2025-26).
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline, but monitor developments as USCIS resumes processing affected cases.
• Next Steps: Check your case status online and consult with your immigration attorney to see if this court order directly impacts your pending application.

USCIS opens new asylum offices in Atlanta and San Antonio to reduce asylum backlog and bring interviews closer to applicants.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: USCIS is expanding its capacity to process affirmative asylum claims by opening new offices in Atlanta and San Antonio.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Affirmative asylum applicants residing in the Southeast (Atlanta jurisdiction) and Texas (Houston/San Antonio jurisdictions) who are waiting for their interviews.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline, but monitor developments as interviews will begin scheduling at these new locations.
• Next Steps: Ensure your current mailing address is updated with USCIS so you do not miss an interview notice, and continue preparing your case with your attorney.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 30, 2026 in Trump v. Barbara that birthright citizenship is constitutionally guaranteed, striking down Executive Order 14160 and affirming that all children born on U.S. soil are American citizens regardless of their parents' immigration status.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The Supreme Court has permanently struck down Executive Order 14160 — birthright citizenship is constitutionally protected and cannot be eliminated by executive action; only a constitutional amendment could change it.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Families with U.S.-born children whose parents are undocumented, on temporary visas (H-1B, F-1, TPS, etc.), or in any non-permanent immigration status — their children's U.S. citizenship is now confirmed and secure.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline, but families should act promptly to obtain or verify their U.S.-born children's birth certificates, Social Security numbers, and U.S. passports to ensure full documentation of citizenship status.
• Next Steps: Obtain certified copies of your U.S.-born child's birth certificate from the issuing state. Apply for a Social Security number if not already obtained. Consider applying for a U.S. passport for your child as the strongest proof of citizenship. Consult an immigration attorney if any federal agency previously denied or delayed identity documents for your child under the now-invalidated executive order.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 25, 2026 allowing TPS termination for Haitians and Syrians, with an expected July 27 effective date, affecting hundreds of thousands and triggering urgent planning and legal options.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: TPS for Haitians and Syrians is ending — the Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to terminate protections, and affected individuals will lose their legal status and work authorization on or around July 27, 2026.
• Who Should Be Concerned: All Haitian and Syrian TPS holders currently living and working in the United States, their U.S. citizen children and family members, and their employers — particularly those in healthcare, construction, and long-term care industries. Venezuelan, Salvadoran, Somali, Ethiopian, and Ukrainian TPS holders should also monitor developments closely as their protections may be next.
• Timeline for Action: Urgent — the termination is expected to take effect on or around July 27, 2026. TPS holders have a very narrow window to consult with an immigration attorney and explore alternative pathways to legal status before losing work authorization.
• Next Steps: Contact an immigration attorney immediately to evaluate whether you qualify for any other form of legal relief, such as adjustment of status through a U.S. citizen or LPR family member, asylum, or other humanitarian protections. Gather and organize all immigration documents. If you have a pending I-485 or other application, confirm its status with USCIS. Do not abandon the U.S. without first consulting an attorney, as departure may affect eligibility for future relief.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 25, 2026 that border officers may treat returning green card holders as applicants for admission — stripping them of their physical green card and exposing them to harsher deportation grounds — based solely on pending criminal charges, without requiring proof of guilt at the time of arrival.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Green card holders with any pending criminal matter — even an unresolved charge for which they have not been convicted — now face a real risk of being detained, stripped of their physical green card, and placed in removal proceedings when returning from international travel.
• Who Should Be Concerned: All lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who travel or plan to travel internationally, especially those with any history of criminal charges (even dismissed or pending cases), those who have lived in the U.S. for extended periods, and those who must travel abroad for work or family obligations.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline, but the risk is present now for any planned international travel. Green card holders should assess their situation before booking any international trip.
• Next Steps: Before traveling internationally, consult with an immigration attorney to assess your specific risk, particularly if you have any criminal history or pending charges. Carry all documentation of your immigration status. If you are detained upon return, immediately invoke your right to an immigration court hearing and contact an attorney. Do not sign any documents or waive any rights without legal counsel present.

The Fifth Circuit limits mandatory detention to 90 days without a bond hearing, signaling concrete due process protections for detainees.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The 5th Circuit has ruled that ICE cannot hold immigrants in mandatory detention for more than 90 days without a bond hearing — this is a constitutionally enforceable right that applies now in Texas and the 5th Circuit's jurisdiction.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Immigrants currently detained by ICE in Texas, Louisiana, or Mississippi under the expanded mandatory detention policy, as well as their families and employers — particularly those detained without criminal records who have lived in the U.S. for years.
• Timeline for Action: Immediate. If a loved one has been detained for 90 days or more without a bond hearing, they may be entitled to relief right now. The Trump administration is seeking Supreme Court review, so the window to act under this ruling may be time-sensitive.
• Next Steps: Contact an experienced immigration attorney immediately to determine whether a detained family member qualifies for a bond hearing under this ruling. Document the exact date of detention. If the 90-day threshold has been reached or is approaching, file for a bond hearing without delay.

Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) is in effect; failure to pay within 30 days can lead to rejection of asylum and loss of work authorization.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The Annual Asylum Fee is now law — if you miss the 30-day payment window after receiving notice, your asylum case will be rejected and your work authorization will be revoked immediately, regardless of how long your case has been pending.
• Who Should Be Concerned: All individuals with a pending Form I-589 asylum application in the United States, including those currently authorized to work based on their pending asylum case. TPS holders are also affected by the new one-year EAD limitation.
• Timeline for Action: Immediate and ongoing. The rule has been in effect since May 29, 2026. If you have received — or expect to receive — an Annual Asylum Fee notice, you have only 30 days to pay. Missing the deadline has no cure.
• Next Steps: Verify your current mailing address is on file with USCIS at uscis.gov/addresschange. Monitor all mail carefully for fee notices. Pay the Annual Asylum Fee promptly upon receipt. Consult an immigration attorney to understand the full scope of H.R. 1 changes that may affect your specific case.

The Supreme Court upholds asylum turnbacks at ports of entry, affecting access to the asylum process for border entrants and prompting renewed calls for border reform.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The Supreme Court has authorized CBP to turn back asylum seekers at ports of entry before they cross into U.S. soil, blocking immediate access to the asylum process.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Individuals at or planning to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum, and their families.
• Timeline for Action: The ruling is in effect immediately; border encounters may involve turnbacks now.
• Next Steps: Do not attempt unlawful entry. Consult with an immigration attorney to explore alternative pathways or permitted procedures under current border management policies.

USCIS imposes consequences for unpaid Annual Asylum Fee, including rejection of I-589 and loss of work authorization, effective May 29, 2026.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: If the Annual Asylum Fee is not paid within 30 days of notice, the asylum application will be rejected and work authorization tied to the case can be withdrawn.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Anyone with a pending asylum application, including those relying on work authorization through the asylum process.
• Timeline for Action: Effective May 29, 2026; you have a 30-day window from fee notices to pay.
• Next Steps: Update your address with USCIS, monitor notices closely, and pay the AAF promptly to avoid denial and loss of employment rights.

Texas SB4 takes effect, expanding state and local enforcement powers and raising civil rights and labor market concerns.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Texas state and local police can arrest individuals suspected of illegal entry, with state judges able to issue removal orders.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Undocumented immigrants, mixed-status families, and others traveling through Texas.
• Timeline for Action: Law is currently in effect and being enforced.
• Next Steps: Know your rights in police encounters, carry identification, and consult an immigration attorney if detained.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that ICE detainees must receive a bond hearing within 90 days, striking down the administration's expanded mandatory detention policy.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: ICE can no longer hold immigrants in mandatory detention indefinitely without a bond hearing; a hearing must be provided within 90 days.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Immigrants currently detained by ICE in Texas or the 5th Circuit jurisdiction, and their families.
• Timeline for Action: Effective immediately. If a loved one has been detained without bond for approaching 90 days, action can be taken now.
• Next Steps: Contact an experienced immigration attorney immediately to file for a bond hearing for any detained family member

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that CBP officers can physically block asylum seekers from entering U.S. soil at ports of entry, legalizing the administration's turnback policy.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The U.S. government is legally permitted to block asylum seekers from physically entering a port of entry to claim asylum.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Individuals and families fleeing persecution who are currently at or traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border to seek asylum.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline, but monitor developments as the policy is actively being enforced at the border.
• Next Steps: Asylum seekers should consult with legal aid organizations at the border before approaching a port of entry, as they may be turned away.

Texas is now enforcing SB 4, allowing state and local police to arrest individuals suspected of illegal entry and permitting state judges to issue deportation orders.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Texas state and local police now have the authority to arrest anyone they suspect of entering the state illegally from another country.
• Who Should Be Concerned: All immigrants living in or traveling through Texas, particularly undocumented individuals, and Texas employers.
• Timeline for Action: The law is currently in effect. No immediate deadline, but monitor developments.
• Next Steps: Immigrants in Texas should memorize their rights during police encounters and carry valid identification; employers should review their compliance protocols.

The July 2026 Visa Bulletin shows the EB-2 preference category for India is now "Unavailable," halting green card issuances for these applicants this month.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: No green cards will be issued for Indian nationals in the EB-2 category during July 2026 due to visa unavailability.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Indian professionals with pending EB-2 green card applications and their U.S. employers.
• Timeline for Action: Effective July 1, 2026. No immediate deadline, but monitor developments for the new fiscal year in October.
• Next Steps: Ensure your underlying nonimmigrant visa status (e.g., H-1B) remains valid and extended, as your green card cannot be approved this month.

USCIS is opening a new asylum office in Atlanta, Georgia, to conduct interviews for affirmative asylum applicants from Georgia and Alabama starting July 8, 2026.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: A new USCIS asylum office opens in Atlanta on July 8, 2026, serving affirmative asylum interviews starting July 8, 2026.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Individuals with pending affirmative asylum applications who reside in Georgia or Alabama.
• Timeline for Action: Effective July 8, 2026 — review any interview notice you receive immediately to confirm your correct interview location.
• Next Steps: Verify your mailing address is current with USCIS, watch for your interview notice, and confirm which of the three locations applies to your case before your scheduled date.

DHS has automatically extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Lebanon for six months, from May 28, 2026, to November 27, 2026, with no action required by current beneficiaries.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: TPS for Lebanon is automatically extended through November 27, 2026, and existing Employment Authorization Documents remain valid without any new application.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Lebanese nationals currently holding Temporary Protected Status in the United States and their employers.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline for beneficiaries, but closely monitor DHS announcements as the November 27, 2026 expiration approaches.
• Next Steps: Retain your current EAD as proof of work authorization, notify your employer of the automatic extension, and consult an immigration attorney before the November deadline to understand your options.

USCIS alerts clients of disbarred attorney Alexandra Lozano to update their mailing addresses with USCIS immediately to prevent case denials.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Former attorney Alexandra Lozano has been permanently disbarred and her firm closed; USCIS urgently needs updated contact information from her former clients to avoid case denials.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Any immigrant who was represented by Alexandra Lozano or Luz del Camino Legal with a pending USCIS application, especially those with T visa, U visa, or VAWA petitions.
• Timeline for Action: Immediate action required — failure to update your address could result in missed notices and automatic denial of your pending case.
• Next Steps: Update your mailing address with USCIS at uscis.gov/addresschange, call USCIS at 800-375-5283 if you are unsure which office handles your case, and retain a new qualified immigration attorney to review your file as soon as possible.

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 30, 2026, that President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented or temporary-status parents is unconstitutional, affirming the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of citizenship for all children born on U.S. soil.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The Supreme Court has definitively ruled that children born in the U.S. to undocumented or temporary-status parents are U.S. citizens — the executive order attempting to end this is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Undocumented immigrants and those on temporary visas (such as student, tourist, or work visas) who have children born in the United States, or who are expecting a child.
• Timeline for Action: The ruling is effective immediately as of June 30, 2026. No immediate deadline, but families should document their children's U.S. birth certificates and Social Security numbers promptly.
• Next Steps: Ensure your U.S.-born children have valid birth certificates and Social Security numbers on file. Consult an immigration attorney if you have concerns about your family's status or if any documents were previously denied under the executive order.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 25, 2026, allowing the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, removing the legal shield that had protected them from deportation and creating immediate uncertainty about their ability to remain in the U.S.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians — meaning these individuals may lose work authorization and deportation protection as DHS proceeds with the terminations.
• Who Should Be Concerned: All current TPS holders from Haiti and Syria, as well as their U.S. citizen children and family members. TPS holders from other countries should also monitor developments, as this ruling may embolden further terminations.
• Timeline for Action: Immediate action is warranted. The ruling is in effect now, and DHS can begin winding down TPS without further court delay. Watch for official DHS notices specifying end dates for work authorization.
• Next Steps: Consult an immigration attorney immediately to assess whether you qualify for any other form of relief — such as asylum, a family-based petition, or adjustment of status. Gather all immigration documents and keep them accessible. Contact your U.S. Senators to urge support for the bipartisan TPS extension bill pending in the Senate.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 23, 2026, in Blanche v. Lau that border officers may treat returning green card holders as applicants for admission — and place them in legal limbo — based on a pending criminal charge alone, without requiring clear and convincing evidence of guilt.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: Green card holders with any pending criminal matter — even a minor or unresolved charge — now face a significantly elevated risk of being placed in immigration limbo when returning from international travel, potentially losing their green card and work authorization without a conviction.
• Who Should Be Concerned: All lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who travel internationally, particularly those who have any pending legal matter, past arrest, or unresolved charge — regardless of how minor.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline, but this ruling is in effect now. Any international travel by an LPR with a pending legal matter carries new, serious risk.
• Next Steps: Before traveling internationally, consult an immigration attorney to assess your specific situation, especially if you have any pending or past legal matters. Carry certified copies of all immigration documents when traveling. If you are detained at a port of entry, immediately request to speak with an immigration attorney before answering questions.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow the termination of TPS for Haiti and Syria, affecting hundreds of thousands who rely on TPS for work and protection from removal.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: The Supreme Court has allowed the termination of TPS for Haiti and Syria, meaning affected individuals will lose their legal status and work authorization.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Haitian and Syrian nationals currently holding TPS, as well as their employers and families.
• Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline announced yet, but terminations are expected soon; monitor DHS announcements closely.
• Next Steps: Consult an immigration attorney immediately to explore alternative pathways for legal status before your TPS and work authorization expire.

A Rhode Island court vacated USCIS policies that paused immigration benefit adjudications, prompting a nationwide return to normal processing pending appeals.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: USCIS must resume processing immigration applications that were paused under the vacated policies.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Nationals from about 39 travel-ban countries with pending green cards, work permits, or asylum.
• Timeline for Action: The order is effective immediately; USCIS has indicated it will comply while litigation continues.
• Next Steps: If your application was delayed, contact your attorney to check status and watch for USCIS updates.

Rhode Island court vacates USCIS hold policies, restoring adjudication processes pending appeal; USCIS to comply.

What This Means for You:

• Key Point 1: USCIS must resume adjudication of benefits nationwide.
• Who Should Be Concerned: Applicants affected by prior freezes and their employers.
• Timeline for Action: Immediate effect; monitor for further guidance as appeals proceed.
• Next Steps: Check case status with counsel and prepare for possible updates from USCIS.