USCIS Implements Strengthened Screening and Vetting: Significant Processing Delays Expected

As of April 27, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a new security vetting process that is already impacting adjudications across multiple case types. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), along with national media coverage indicate that many pending applications are being placed on hold while additional background checks are completed. This initiative follows a comprehensive review of existing screening measures and is designed to address identified national security and public safety risks.

Background

The increased vetting follows from Executive Order 14161, Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorist and Other National Security and Public Safety Threat. Signed on January 20, 2025, this order mandates strict screening of foreign nationals, particularly those from regions or nations with identified security risks.

Furthering this initiative,  Executive Order 14385, Protecting the National Security and Welfare of the United States and its Citizens from Criminal Actors, Signed on February 6, 2026, this order expands data-sharing between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), allowing for USCIS to have enhanced access to FBI criminal history databases. To comply, USCIS has issued several policy memoranda placing holds on specific pending workloads while enhanced vetting protocols are developed and applied.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

• Adjudication Holds: USCIS field and asylum offices have begun notifying applicants that adjudications are subject to a hold while the new, updated vetting process is implemented.
• Impacted Applications: While all benefit types are being reviewed, the most immediate impact is on the following applications/applicants:
  • Adjustment of Status (Green Card) applications (Form I-485)
  • Naturalization applications (Form N-400)
  • Asylum applications (Form I-589).
  • High-Risk Designations: Applications from individuals originating from countries identified in recent travel ban proclamations are subject to the most rigorous review.
• Biometric Resubmission: For many pending applications where biometrics were collected before April 27, 2026, USCIS is requiring resubmission or a new review of fingerprints for expanded criminal history checks, identity verification, and ad hoc security checks.
• Exemptions: Some exemptions exist for certain petitions filed by U.S. citizens, intercountry adoption forms, certain rescheduled oath ceremonies, statutory and regulatory decision issuance, certain special immigrant visa petitions, certain employment authorization documents, and asylum applications from non-high-risk countries, and applications associated with medical physicians. USCIS has noted that they will continue to review all application types and lift holds for both individual and group cases as appropriate.

What to Expect

• Longer Processing Times: While USCIS has indicated that delays should be brief, the large volume of impacted cases may lead to longer wait times.
• New Biometrics Requests: Applicants should be prepared to receive new Appointment Notices for biometrics, even if they have previously completed this step.
• Shorter EAD Validity: USCIS has indicated it has shortened the validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to ensure more frequent security checks.
• Travel Risks: Individuals with pending I-485s who do not have a valid Advance Parole document (or an exemption from the requirement) should exercise extreme caution in planning international travel. Increased vetting may delay the issuance of new travel documents.

Gibney will continue to monitor for ongoing developments and updates on processing delays and timing. For additional information, please contact your designated Gibney representative or email: info@gibney.com.

   
Inez Macedonio                                          Amy McCoy