A recent federal court decision may bring relief to thousands of immigrants whose applications have been stuck in limbo for months.
On June 5, 2026, a federal judge ruled that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot indefinitely delay making decisions on certain immigration applications filed by individuals from 39 designated countries. The ruling addresses a policy that allowed USCIS to place applications on hold without approving or denying them.
What Happened?
According to the court, USCIS had been placing certain immigration benefit requests into lengthy adjudication holds rather than issuing a final decision.
Affected applications reportedly included:
- Green card applications
- Employment authorization requests (work permits)
- Naturalization applications
- Asylum applications
- Other immigration benefits
The court found that USCIS generally must make a decision on properly filed applications and cannot leave cases pending indefinitely based solely on an applicant's nationality.
Does This Mean All Cases Will Be Approved?
No.
The ruling does not require USCIS to approve any application.
USCIS still has the authority to:
- Request additional evidence
- Conduct background checks
- Schedule interviews
- Deny applications when warranted
The court's decision simply requires USCIS to continue processing cases and issue decisions rather than placing applications into indefinite administrative holds.
Does This Affect Marriage Green Card Cases?
For some applicants, yes.
If a marriage green card applicant is from one of the affected countries and their case was delayed because of these adjudication holds, the ruling could help move the case forward.
However, most marriage green card applicants should understand that this decision does not eliminate USCIS scrutiny.
USCIS officers continue to closely review:
- Bona fide marriage evidence
- Immigration history
- Prior visa violations
- Criminal history
- Public safety concerns
- Discretionary factors
What About the New USCIS Adjustment of Status Policy?
This ruling is separate from the new USCIS policy memorandum regarding adjustment of status applications.
The court did not invalidate USCIS's authority to review adjustment applications under existing immigration laws. USCIS officers may still issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), and denials where appropriate.
What Should Applicants Do?
If your immigration case has been pending significantly longer than expected, it may be worthwhile to determine:
- Whether your case was affected by an adjudication hold
- Whether USCIS has requested additional information
- Whether a service request or mandamus action may be appropriate
Every case is different, and immigration delays can result from many factors beyond this particular policy.
Need Help with a Marriage Green Card Case?
At Green Family Immigration Law, we focus exclusively on helping couples navigate the marriage green card process.
Love has no borders.
