USCIS Processing Time Update June 2026: Court Order Hold Creates Paperwork Crisis

USCIS is facing mounting administrative pressure as a court-ordered hold has added to an already significant paperwork burden, according to a June 16 report from ILW. The agency, which processes millions of immigration petitions annually including EB-3 employment-based applications, is reportedly struggling to maintain normal adjudication timelines under the added legal constraint. Court-ordered holds typically require USCIS to pause action on specific case categories or populations, which can create ripple effects across the entire adjudication workflow. When large volumes of cases are placed on hold, adjudicators must redirect resources and reorganize queues, often slowing processing for unaffected petition types as well. For EB-3 applicants — including skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers — this situation may translate into extended waiting periods for I-140 petitions, adjustment of status applications, and related filings. Applicants with pending cases should monitor their case status on the USCIS website and ensure all requests for evidence are responded to promptly to avoid further delays. Immigration practitioners are advising clients to account for potential processing slowdowns when planning employment start dates, visa stamp renewals, and travel. USCIS has not yet issued a formal processing time update addressing the court order's impact, but stakeholders expect the June 2026 processing time report to reflect any delays.