Update on USCIS Review of Certain Benefit Applications

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued new policy guidance on January 1, 2026. Under this guidance, USCIS may place certain immigration benefit applications on hold for additional review if the applicant is connected to countries listed in Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998.

What Is Changing?

USCIS may temporarily pause adjudication of some applications while conducting additional screening.

• This applies to pending applications and may also include re-review of previously approved cases
• The policy is effective immediately and applies broadly to multiple types of immigration benefits

Who May Be Affected?

This policy may affect you if you are from a country listed under the Presidential Proclamations and:

• Plan to file a USCIS application, or
• Have a pending or previously approved application

Common applications that may be impacted include:

• Form I-765 for OPT or STEM OPT
• Form I-539 for change of status
• Other USCIS benefit applications, depending on your situation

USCIS may pause a pending application while it completes more review. USCIS may also review some already approved applications again.

What You Should Expect

If this policy applies to you, USCIS may:

• Delay a final decision on your application
• Conduct additional background review
• Request that you attend an interview or re-interview
• Refer your case to another government agency for further review

Applications may continue processing, but final adjudication may be paused until review is complete

Countries Currently Covered

The list of affected countries is based on Presidential Proclamations 10949 (June 2025) and 10998 (December 2025).

These include countries such as:

• Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Venezuela
• Additional countries may be included as policy guidance evolves

Important

If you are from a country listed above and you plan to file a request with USCIS, or you already have a pending or approved USCIS application, you should expect possible delays or additional review.

What You Should Do

• Plan ahead and allow extra time for processing
• Monitor your email and USCIS account for updates
• Respond promptly to any USCIS requests

Need Help?

If you have questions about how this may affect your immigration record or future benefits, contact Visa and Immigration Services.