The US government pauses processing of certain permanent residency or ‘green card’ applications for refugees and asylees while verifying potential fraud.
A USCIS spokesperson said the temporary pause on “certain Adjustment of Status applications” aims to “better identify fraud, public safety issues, or national security threats.”
The agency said the pause aligns with Executive Order 14161 signed by Trump, which, according to the Republican administration, seeks to protect the US “from foreign terrorists and other threats to national and public security.”
In February, the State Department designated the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, the Salvadoran gang MS-13, and six Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
The Administration also announced the termination of legal status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Latin America and Haiti who entered the country under former President Joe Biden, according to a Department of Homeland Security document published last Friday.
According to available information, the United States has implemented a temporary pause in processing certain immigration applications, including those related to the “green card,” under specific circumstances to investigate and prevent potential fraud.
Here’s a summary of the key points:
Pause in Specific Programs:
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily paused processing applications filed by individuals with “parole” under programs such as “Uniting for Ukraine (U4U),”; the “parole” process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV); and family reunification parole programs.
This means that while applications already filed may be processed in the future, USCIS is not making decisions on them at this time.
Reasons and Context:
This pause is related to reviews and potential changes in immigration policies, particularly those involving the use of humanitarian “parole.”
The Biden administration used “parole” at an unprecedented scale, in part to encourage migrants to register for legal migration channels instead of crossing the southern border illegally.
The Trump administration quickly moved to suspend those efforts, arguing they abused the “parole” authority.
Important Recommendations:
Those affected are advised to seek legal counsel from an immigration attorney to fully understand their options and rights.
Filing a timely application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or other immigration relief may help avoid accumulating unlawful presence while pending.
It is important to stay informed about changes in immigration policies, as they can significantly impact green card applications and other related processes.
For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult the USCIS website directly or seek professional legal advice.
