1. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a new, extensive security vetting process requiring fingerprint-based background checks and a resubmission of fingerprint information. This is part of an expanded background check tied to FBI criminal history databases. This process led to temporary “holds” on adjudications, delaying approvals across various case types like adjustment of status, asylum, naturalization, and others. However, in early May, adjudication holds were lifted for cases involving foreign physicians, allowing their applications to proceed.
2. In late 2025, The federal administration proposed changes to the “public charge rule,” potentially making it harder for someone to obtain a green card or certain other immigration statuses, increasing scrutiny of applicants. However, these switches are not currently in effect and are still in the proposal stage.
3. The April 2026 Visa Bulletin indicated that many long-pending adjustment of status cases in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories for India are becoming current again under the Final Action Dates chart. However, this doesn’t guarantee immediate approval. Some applicants consider proactive steps such as obtaining a new I-693 medical exam and submitting a Form I-485 Supplement J in order to expand the chances of case reviewing.
4. A green card holder from South Korea, Young Joo Ko, was arrested based on the federal criminal complaint of conspiring fraud involving immigration medical documentation. The 59-year-old woman falsely presented herself as a nurse or doctor, preparing and submitting forms suggesting that green card applicants had completed the required medical examinations, which had not been performed.
5. Following the shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have indefinitely halted all immigration decisions for applicants from 19 “high-risk” countries, including Afghanistan, thereby igniting fear among the Afghan community in the U.S. The current administration has virtually blocked legal migration from these troubled countries as part of the crackdown on legal immigration.
6. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) expressed concern over reports that USCIS has planned a review and potential reinterview of more than 200,000 refugees who were admitted to the U.S between 2021 and 2025. USCRI calls on the Administration to reverse this policy and reaffirm the U.S.’ commitment to a sustainable humanitarian refugee program.
