DHS Green Card Policy Reversed: Federal Court Strikes Down USCIS Adjudication Pause 2026

A federal court has issued a ruling striking down the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) pause on benefit adjudication, a decision with far-reaching implications for thousands of immigration applicants currently in the queue. The court found that the administrative pause exceeded the agency's legal authority, marking a significant judicial check on USCIS policy under the current DHS administration. The ruling directly impacts EB-3 employment-based green card applicants, among others, whose petitions and applications had been stalled due to the adjudication pause. With the court order now in effect, USCIS is expected to resume normal processing of pending benefit applications, potentially accelerating timelines for those awaiting decisions on I-140 petitions, adjustment of status applications, and related filings. This decision is part of a broader pattern of federal courts scrutinizing executive-branch immigration enforcement actions in 2026. Immigration attorneys have noted that the ruling reaffirms procedural due process protections for applicants who are legally entitled to have their cases adjudicated in a timely manner. For EB-3 workers and their sponsoring employers, the immediate action item is to monitor USCIS case status portals for updates on previously stalled applications. Petitioners should also ensure all pending Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and notices are responded to promptly, as adjudication activity is likely to resume quickly following the court's order. Applicants are advised to consult with their immigration counsel regarding the specific impact on their individual cases, as the timing and scope of USCIS compliance with the court order may vary. This development, combined with ongoing visa bulletin changes, underscores the importance of staying current with legal developments affecting the EB-3 pathway.