The American Immigration Council, citing newly obtained FOIA records, has revealed details about a processing pause USCIS imposed on green card applications from asylum and refugee applicants in early 2025. USCIS paused processing of applications for legal permanent residency between March and April 2025, particularly impacting people with asylum or refugee status applying for their green cards. The disclosure raises questions about vetting procedures and transparency that practitioners should understand when advising affected clients.
What changed
The pause began on March 21 and lasted two weeks. The Trump administration claimed it implemented this pause to conduct additional vetting of those applicants. However, USCIS lifted the suspension on April 10, 2025, and the agency did not notify the public that the suspension was over.
After lifting the general suspension, on April 14 the agency circulated a list of 467 individuals whose green card applications remained on hold due to “public safety concerns” based on the Trump administration’s Executive Order 14157, which designated “international cartels” and gangs such as Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations.
Why it matters
These green card applicants had already been extensively vetted at the time immigration authorities approved their asylum or refugee applications, yet faced an unexplained suspension and potential continued holds. Applicants and their legal representatives were left in the dark about whether the suspension applied to their cases as the agency failed to provide them with any information, and the suspension added to the wait time of individuals whose applications had been pending for years.
For practitioners: this pattern shows that USCIS may impose processing freezes on sensitive populations without advance notice or public guidance, and may maintain category-specific holds based on national-origin indicators or perceived gang affiliations—grounds that were not clearly communicated to affected applicants or their counsel.
Way forward
- Educate asylum/refugee clients: Explain that USCIS may pause green card processing with little warning and without formal notification, and that cases may be flagged for additional review based on nationality or other factors.
- Request case-specific clarity: If a client’s adjustment of status application is delayed beyond normal processing times, file a FOIA request or contact your local USCIS office to determine whether a hold has been placed and on what grounds.
- Document communication: Keep detailed notes of all interactions with USCIS regarding case status, given the agency’s apparent reluctance to volunteer information about suspensions or holds.
- Monitor policy updates: The Council’s FOIA disclosures suggest ongoing administrative pauses on benefit applications. Check agency announcements and legal updates regularly for changes affecting your practice areas.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Folaform is a software company, not a law firm. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. You should consult a licensed immigration attorney to understand how these developments affect your individual circumstances. Please verify all information against the primary USCIS source materials and the full report linked above, as agency policy can change without notice.