75-Country Immigrant Visa Pause: Does It Affect Adjustment of Status Cases?

A USCIS community member from one of the 75 countries subject to a recent immigrant visa pause is seeking clarity on whether their Adjustment of Status (AOS) case will be affected. The applicant has been waiting over 21 months on their I-485 and is adjusting status through a U.S. citizen spouse, meaning they are physically present in the United States throughout the process. The 75-country immigrant visa pause primarily targets consular processing — the pathway used by applicants residing outside the United States who must attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Adjustment of Status, by contrast, is an entirely domestic process handled by USCIS, not the Department of State. For most AOS applicants, the visa pause should not directly halt case processing or prevent approval. However, indirect effects are possible, including potential policy shifts, increased scrutiny, or administrative slowdowns that could affect processing timelines across the board. Applicants in similar situations are advised to monitor official USCIS announcements closely and consult with an immigration attorney if they receive any unusual notices or requests for evidence. Keeping all documentation up to date and responding promptly to any USCIS correspondence remains critical during periods of policy uncertainty. This situation highlights the importance of understanding the procedural differences between consular processing and Adjustment of Status, particularly for nationals of countries currently under enhanced immigration scrutiny.