USCIS Processing Times Update 2026: Democratic Senators Demand Answers on Approval Pause

Democratic senators have escalated pressure on USCIS by issuing a formal demand letter requesting answers about the agency's ongoing pause on adjudicating immigration requests, including Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications. This follows a similar letter sent by Democratic House representatives on May 22nd, indicating growing bipartisan concern over the scale of processing disruptions. The pause has been attributed to enhanced security screenings and a systematic re-review of cases approved during the Biden administration. These additional review layers have created significant backlogs affecting applicants across multiple visa categories, including employment-based immigrants in the EB-3 pipeline. For EB-3 applicants awaiting Adjustment of Status, this development is particularly significant. The AOS process — which allows eligible applicants already in the U.S. to obtain a green card without leaving the country — has been directly impacted by the adjudication pause, leaving many applicants in prolonged uncertainty. The senators' letter signals that Congress is actively monitoring USCIS operations and may push for accountability measures if the agency does not provide a clear timeline and justification for the delays. Applicants should monitor official USCIS communications and consult with immigration attorneys if their cases have been pending beyond normal processing windows. This is an evolving situation. EB-3 applicants are encouraged to check USCIS case status tools regularly and note that the current processing slowdown is systemic, not case-specific.