Tagged #green-card
Every article we've published on this topic, sorted by the agency's own announcement date.
Trump Admin Tightens Vetting and Enforcement of Marriage-Based Green Card Cases
USCIS August 2025 policy update intensifies fraud detection and security screening for spouses of U.S. citizens. Practitioners must now prepare for expanded removal referrals, stronger documentation demands, and discretionary adjudication.
Trump Administration Releases Immigration Regulatory Agenda: H-1B, Prevailing Wage, and Student Visa Changes
The Trump administration has unveiled a multi-agency regulatory agenda targeting H-1B eligibility, prevailing wage increases, PERM labor certification, and international student work authorization. Changes are expected from August 2026 onward.
Trump Administration Tightens Scrutiny of Marriage-Based Immigration: What You Need to Know
Spouses of U.S. citizens face new interview requirements, good moral character evidence demands, and enforcement vulnerability under Trump administration policy shifts affecting family-based green card applications.
USCIS's Discretion in Adjustment of Status: What Changed After PM-602-0199
USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 emphasizes officer discretion in adjustment-of-status decisions. Applicants must now demonstrate strong positive factors to obtain green cards in the U.S. without consular processing.
Trump administration immigration agenda: Mixed wins in Supreme Court's 2025-2026 term
The Trump administration scored major Supreme Court victories on TPS termination and asylum metering, but suffered a significant defeat on birthright citizenship. Review what changed and what it means for clients.
July 2026 Green Card Changes: Visa Caps and Signature Rule
Two major policy shifts take effect in July 2026: employment-based visa caps freeze approvals in key categories through September, and a new DHS rule tightens signature enforcement on USCIS filings with post-acceptance denial authority.
Supreme Court: Border officials can strip green cards on accusations alone
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that immigration officers need only an indictment—not clear and convincing evidence—to deny entry and place a returning green card holder on parole status, fundamentally shifting burden of proof at the border.
USCIS halts processing of Nigerian applications due to document fraud concerns
USCIS told a federal court it is placing holds on green card and work authorization applications from Nigerian nationals, citing widespread document falsification and poor record-keeping by government agencies.
Court Orders USCIS to Resume Visa Processing for 39-Country Ban Nations
After a week of resistance, USCIS has agreed to comply with federal court order vacating policies that froze green card, asylum, and work permit applications for nationals of 39 countries.
Court orders immediate USCIS processing of green card and work permit applications
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued an enforcement order requiring USCIS to resume processing green card and work permit applications for immigrants from 39 countries after the agency allegedly continued applying invalidated policies.
Trump administration memo restricts green card applications filed in the U.S.
USCIS policy memo PM-602-0199 requires most green card applicants to apply through consular processing abroad except in extraordinary circumstances. Learn what changed and how to advise clients.
Federal Judge Blocks Travel Ban-Linked USCIS Freezes on Green Cards, Asylum
U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled that USCIS policies freezing green card, asylum, and work permit decisions for nationals of 39 travel-ban countries were likely unlawful and must resume processing.
Federal judge blocks sweeping Trump policy halting legal immigration applications
A Rhode Island federal judge invalidated Trump administration policies that suspended asylum, green card, and other immigration benefits for applicants from 39 countries, finding the measures arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.
Federal court strikes down immigration freeze for 39 countries
Judge McConnell invalidated four USCIS policies that indefinitely halted work permits, green cards, asylum adjudications, and naturalizations for nationals of 39 travel-ban countries. Cases must now resume processing.
Federal Judge Blocks Immigration Benefits Freeze for 39 Countries
A Rhode Island federal judge struck down USCIS policies that froze asylum, work permits, green cards, and naturalization applications, finding them likely unlawful. Resume application processing for affected countries immediately.
Federal court voids Trump administration's freeze on asylum and visa processing from 39 countries
A federal judge struck down USCIS policies that froze asylum decisions, green cards, work permits, and citizenship applications for nationals from 39 countries targeted by the Trump travel ban. Processing must resume immediately.
FOIA Reveals USCIS Green Card Processing Pause and Hold Strategy
Internal records show USCIS suspended green card applications for asylum and refugee applicants in March–April 2025, then maintained holds on 467 cases citing national security concerns. What practitioners should know.
Federal Judge Vacates USCIS Freeze on Asylum and Benefits for 39 Countries
U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. struck down four USCIS policies that had frozen asylum, work permit, green card, and citizenship decisions for nationals of 39 African, Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries. Practitioners can now advise affected clients on resumption of case processing.
Federal judge strikes down policy freezing USCIS applications for 39 countries
A U.S. District Court ruled that USCIS exceeded its authority by indefinitely freezing asylum, work permit, green card, and citizenship applications for nationals of 39 countries. The ruling requires immediate resumption of adjudications.
Federal Judge Invalidates USCIS Asylum and Work Permit Holds
A federal judge struck down four Trump administration policies that froze asylum adjudications and work permit processing for applicants from 39 countries, finding the agency violated federal law and acted with anti-immigrant animus.
Federal judge strikes down Trump asylum processing freeze, orders USCIS to resume adjudication
A Rhode Island federal judge has vacated Trump administration policies that halted asylum processing and immigration benefit adjudications for nationals of 39 countries. USCIS must immediately resume processing green cards, work permits, asylum applications, and naturalizations.
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Asylum Freeze on 39 Countries
A federal court has struck down a Trump administration policy that blocked asylum decisions, work permits, green cards, and citizenship applications for immigrants from 39 nations. Here's what practitioners and applicants need to know.
Federal Court Vacates DHS Policy Blocking Benefits for Nationals of 39 Countries
Rhode Island federal judge strikes down USCIS memoranda freezing adjudication of green cards, work permits, and naturalization for nationals of 39 countries. Decision restores duty to adjudicate under the INA and bars nationality-based discrimination.
Federal judge strikes down Trump admin freeze on asylum and immigration benefits for 39 countries
A federal judge invalidated USCIS policies that suspended asylum decisions and froze green card, work permit, and citizenship applications for immigrants from 39 countries. Affected cases can now resume processing.
Federal Judge Strikes Down USCIS Policy Freezing Applications from 39 Countries
A Boston federal judge invalidated a Trump administration policy that halted final decisions on asylum, work permit, green card, and citizenship applications from people in 39 countries, ordering USCIS to resume processing immediately.
Federal Court Strikes Down USCIS Processing Ban for Travel Ban Countries
A federal court has vacated four USCIS policies that froze immigration benefit adjudication for nationals of 39 countries. Learn what the ruling means for stalled applications and next steps.
Federal Court Vacates Trump Travel Ban Processing Freeze
A federal judge ruled that USCIS policies halting immigration application processing for 39 travel ban countries were unlawful, ordering the agency to resume adjudications.
Federal Judge Strikes Down USCIS 39-Country Asylum and Benefits Freeze
Chief Judge McConnell invalidates four USCIS policies that had categorically barred asylum, work permit, green card, and citizenship decisions for nationals of 39 countries, ordering immediate resumption of adjudication.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Travel Ban Processing Freeze
A Rhode Island federal judge invalidated Trump administration policies that halted green cards, asylum decisions, and work permits for people from 39 countries, ordering USCIS to resume processing immediately.
Federal judge voids Trump's immigration adjudication freeze for 39 countries
Chief Judge McConnell strikes down USCIS halt on benefits processing for travel-ban countries. Reinstates legal duty to adjudicate green cards, work permits, asylum, citizenship applications.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Administration's USCIS Asylum and Benefits Freeze
A federal judge vacated four USCIS policies that halted asylum processing and froze immigration benefits for applicants from 39 countries. Learn what changed and how it affects pending cases.
Federal Judge Orders USCIS to Restart Asylum and Immigration Processing
A federal judge has invalidated the Trump administration's pause on asylum applications and immigration benefit decisions for nationals of 39 countries. USCIS must resume processing immediately.
Federal Judge Overturns Trump Asylum and Immigration Freezes for 39 Countries
A Rhode Island federal judge struck down Trump-era policies that froze asylum processing and immigration applications from 39 countries, ordering USCIS to resume processing immediately. Key ruling on immigration agency authority and country-based discrimination.
Federal Judge Strikes Down USCIS Benefit Freeze for 39 Countries
A federal court ruled that USCIS policies freezing asylum, work permit, green card, and citizenship applications for nationals of 39 countries violate the Administrative Procedure Act and are unsupported by law.
Federal Judge Vacates USCIS Asylum Freeze and Benefits Hold for Travel Ban Countries
A Rhode Island federal court on June 5, 2026, struck down four USCIS policies that had frozen asylum adjudications and immigration benefits for nationals of 39 countries. USCIS must resume processing immediately.
Federal Judge Strikes Down USCIS Travel Ban Policies, Orders Nationwide Processing Resume
On June 5, 2026, Chief Judge McConnell vacated four USCIS policies that froze asylum and immigration benefits for nationals of 39 countries, ordering immediate resumption of processing for pending cases nationwide.
Federal Judge Voids Trump Halt on Asylum and Benefits Decisions for 39 Countries
A federal judge struck down Trump administration policies that froze USCIS decisions on asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship applications for nationals of 39 countries. USCIS must now resume processing.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Policies Barring Adjudication for 39 Countries
A Rhode Island federal judge ruled that Trump administration immigration policies blocking adjudications for applicants from 39 countries violate the law. Here's what practitioners need to know about the ruling and next steps.
Federal Court Vacates USCIS Benefits Freeze Policies — Nationwide Relief
On June 5, 2026, a Rhode Island federal court vacated four USCIS policies that had frozen immigration benefits for nationals of 39 countries. Learn what changed, why it matters, and your next steps.
Federal judge voids USCIS freeze on benefits for 39-country applicants
A Rhode Island federal judge has struck down Trump administration policies that froze work permits, green cards, asylum, and citizenship applications for noncitizens from 39 countries. The decision vacates four USCIS policies and orders resumption of processing.
Federal judge voids four USCIS policies halting processing from 39 countries
A Rhode Island district judge vacated Trump administration policies that indefinitely froze asylum, green card, work permit, and citizenship processing from 39 countries, forcing USCIS to resume adjudication.
Federal Judge Strikes Down USCIS Processing Freeze for 39 Countries
A Rhode Island federal judge vacated four USCIS policies that imposed an indefinite hold on asylum, green card, work permit, and citizenship applications from nationals of 39 countries, ruling the agency exceeded its statutory authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Federal Judge Vacates USCIS Processing Freeze for Asylum Applicants from Travel-Ban Countries
A Rhode Island federal judge ruled that Trump administration policies freezing USCIS processing for applicants from 39 travel-ban countries violated immigration law. Practitioners must now resume filings and advise affected clients on case reopenings.
Federal Judge Strikes Down USCIS Freeze on 39-Country Applications
U.S. District Judge John McConnell vacated USCIS policies that halted asylum, work permit, and green card adjudications for applicants from 39 countries, finding the freeze unlawful and arbitrary.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Country-Based Immigration Processing Restrictions
Chief Judge McConnell invalidates USCIS policy suspending asylum, work permit, and green card processing for 39 countries, orders agency to resume adjudication and clear backlog.
Federal Court Voids USCIS Benefit Holds for 39 Countries
U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. struck down USCIS adjudication freezes affecting nationals of 39 travel-ban countries, ordering resumption of green card, work permit, asylum, and naturalization processing.
USCIS Reframes Adjustment of Status as Discretionary "Extraordinary" Relief
Policy Memo PM-602-0199 (May 21, 2026) instructs officers to apply heightened discretionary scrutiny to Form I-485 applications, shifting the practical standard even though statute and eligibility rules remain unchanged.
USCIS Reframes Adjustment of Status as Discretionary Relief—What Your I-485 Clients Need to Know
USCIS Policy Memo PM-602-0199 (May 21, 2026) directs officers to treat I-485 adjustment of status as discretionary relief, not routine. Learn what changes for pending and future green card applications.
USCIS Memo Raises Bar for Adjustment of Status, May Force Green Card Applicants Abroad
USCIS issued PM-602-0199 on May 21 raising the standard for in-country green card applications, creating uncertainty about who can adjust status domestically versus who must apply abroad.
USCIS Policy Memo on Adjustment of Status: Discretion and Grace, Not an Entitlement
USCIS issued policy memo PM-602-0199 on May 21, 2026, reframing adjustment of status (I-485) as discretionary relief requiring case-by-case analysis. Practitioners need to understand the new evidentiary burden and discretionary factors officers will apply.
USCIS Reframes Adjustment of Status as "Extraordinary" Relief—What Practitioners Need to Know
On May 21, USCIS issued Policy Memo PM-602-0199 recharacterizing adjustment of status as discretionary "extraordinary" relief, likely requiring most green card applicants to return abroad for consular processing. Learn what changed, the legal uncertainty, and immediate next steps.
USCIS Reframes Adjustment of Status as Extraordinary Relief
USCIS Policy Memo PM-602-0199 (May 2026) shifts how officers exercise discretion on I-485 applications, requiring higher scrutiny and potentially forcing more applicants to process through consulates abroad instead of remaining in the U.S.
USCIS Green Card Policy Shift Requires U.S.-Based Adjustment of Status to Meet Higher Bar
USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 on May 21, 2026, treating in-country adjustment of status as extraordinary relief. Learn how the new guidance affects your green card strategy and filing timeline.
USCIS Issues New Adjustment of Status Policy Memo: What Green Card Applicants Need to Know
USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 on May 21, 2026, emphasizing discretionary factors in Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) adjudication. Immigration practitioners should understand the new emphasis on individualized assessment and equities evaluation.
USCIS Policy Memo PM-602-0199: What the New Discretion Framework Means for Green Card Applicants
USCIS issued Policy Memo PM-602-0199 on May 21, 2026, reframing adjustment of status as discretionary relief. Learn what changed, who it affects, and what to do if your I-485 is pending or planned.