USCIS Adjustment of Status Memo 2026: Green Card Adjudication Trends & RFE Impact
Murthy Law attorneys discuss the May 21, 2026 USCIS memo and its effects on green card adjudication, including emerging RFE trends observed in interviews with applicants.
A May 21, 2026 USCIS memo has introduced notable shifts in how Adjustment of Status (AOS) cases are being adjudicated, according to Murthy Law Firm attorneys featured in their July 2026 podcast. The memo appears to have triggered changes in how USCIS officers conduct interviews and issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs), signaling a tighter review environment for green card applicants.
Attorneys at Murthy Law have observed emerging trends in case handling since the memo took effect, drawing from client interviews and RFE patterns. For EB-3 employment-based applicants already in the AOS stage, these developments are particularly relevant as they may signal heightened documentation requirements or additional scrutiny during the adjudication process.
Applicants currently awaiting AOS decisions or preparing for upcoming USCIS interviews should be aware that the post-memo landscape may differ from pre-May 2026 expectations. Consulting with an immigration attorney before interviews and ensuring all supporting documentation is thorough and current is advisable given the evolving adjudication environment.
USCIS has previewed a revised Form I-485 set to roll out in September 2026. Most of the form remains unchanged, but updates to the public charge section could impact how applicants—including EB-3 filers—complete their adjustment of status application.
USCIS reported 12.1 million total pending cases while its formal backlog stood at 7 million — a 5-million gap that reveals how many cases fall outside official tracking metrics.
USCIS is extending expired Employment Authorization Documents for TPS holders from El Salvador (through Sept. 9, 2026) and Ukraine (through Oct. 19, 2026). Recipients will receive notices by mail and via myUSCIS accounts to present alongside expired EADs as proof of work authorization.