Tagged #pm-602-0199
Every article we've published on this topic, sorted by the agency's own announcement date.
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.
PM-602-0199: Eligibility Stays the Same, But Proof Gets Stricter
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued PM-602-0199, reframing adjustment of status as discretionary relief. The eligible categories didn't change—but now you must prove you deserve it.
USCIS May 2026 Memo: Adjustment of Status Now \"Extraordinary Relief\" — What Practitioners Need to Know
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued PM-602-0199 treating adjustment of status as discretionary extraordinary relief rather than routine processing. The policy shifts discretion toward consular processing abroad and applies heightened scrutiny to AOS approvals.
USCIS Treats Adjustment of Status as Extraordinary Discretionary Relief (PM-602-0199)
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 reframing adjustment of status as a matter of discretion and administrative grace—not a right. The memo elevates scrutiny of applications from applicants who overstayed or violated visa terms, fundamentally shifting practitioner strategy.
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.
PM-602-0199: Adjustment of Status Now Subject to Heightened Discretionary Scrutiny
USCIS Policy Memo PM-602-0199 reframes adjustment of status as extraordinary discretionary relief, not routine. Learn how this shifts adjudication standards for I-485 applicants and what practitioners need to advise clients.