USCIS Forcing Green Card Applicants to Consular Interview 2026: Attorney Explains May Memo

On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 titled 'Adjustment of Status and Discretion,' a significant policy shift that could fundamentally change how green card applications are processed inside the United States. A former USCIS officer turned immigration attorney hosted a public Q&A on Reddit's r/USCIS community to help applicants understand the memo's implications. According to the attorney, the memo appears to grant USCIS broad discretionary authority to deny adjustment-of-status applications and instead require applicants to pursue consular processing abroad — even for those who are already in the United States and would normally be eligible to adjust status domestically. The attorney stressed they have no more information than the general public, and that this is not legal advice. For EB-3 applicants, this development is particularly significant. Employment-based green card seekers who have been waiting years for their priority dates to become current now face the possibility of being sent overseas for a consulate interview, a process that can introduce additional delays, travel complications, and scrutiny. Applicants with prior immigration violations or complex travel histories may be at heightened risk. The memo's scope and implementation remain uncertain. As of the Q&A, it was unclear which categories of applicants would be most affected, whether any exemptions would apply, and how quickly USCIS would begin exercising this discretion in pending cases. Immigration attorneys across the country are actively reviewing the memo to advise their clients. Applicants with pending I-485 (Adjustment of Status) petitions are strongly encouraged to consult a qualified immigration attorney before making any international travel or significant changes to their immigration record. Monitoring official USCIS guidance and any follow-up policy clarifications will be critical in the coming weeks.