USCIS Green Card Pause Alert: Enhanced FBI Security Checks Delay Adjudications in 2026

Effective April 27, 2026, USCIS began implementing a new enhanced FBI security vetting process that is causing adjudication pauses for a wide range of immigration benefit requests requiring fingerprint-based background checks. USCIS officers have been directed to withhold final decisions until the new security clearances are completed, creating an uncertain backlog for many pending applicants. The affected case types include adjustment of status (Form I-485), asylum applications, naturalization petitions, family-based green card sponsorship petitions, and any other immigration benefit requests that require biometric data collection. This broad scope means EB-3 applicants awaiting green card approval through adjustment of status are directly impacted. For cases where fingerprints were collected and submitted before April 27, USCIS officers are expected to re-submit existing fingerprint records through the new FBI system. Applicants are generally not required to take additional action unless specifically contacted by USCIS with further instructions. Newly filed cases received after April 27 may also face delays as USCIS works through the backlog of re-vetting. One notable exception reported is U.S. citizenship applications that already have scheduled oath ceremonies, which appear to be proceeding without interruption. Although USCIS has informally indicated that delays should be brief, no official timeline has been provided.