USCIS Vetting Hold Alert: New Security Check Started April 27, 2026 Freezes All Pending Cases

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued an urgent alert after attorneys nationwide reported that USCIS field offices and asylum offices had abruptly placed pending adjudications on hold starting April 27, 2026. The pause is tied to a newly implemented security vetting protocol that appears to have taken effect without advance public notice. The core issue is that fingerprints previously submitted and cleared through FBI background checks are no longer considered sufficient under the new vetting framework. According to reports gathered by AILA members, nearly all pending cases — regardless of how far along in the process — will require applicants to resubmit biometrics for a fresh round of checks. For EB-3 applicants, this development is significant. Cases at any stage — including those awaiting final approval after I-485 filing or even cases in post-interview status — could be subject to the hold. The pause affects a broad range of petition types, not just employment-based immigration, meaning wait times across the board are likely to increase. The scope and duration of the hold remain unclear. USCIS has not issued official public guidance on the new vetting procedure, the criteria it applies, or a projected timeline for resuming normal adjudications. AILA is continuing to gather reports and is expected to issue further updates as more information becomes available. Applicants with pending cases are advised to monitor official USCIS communications and consult with a licensed immigration attorney if they receive unexpected notices or experience delays in case movement. This situation is developing and could have material impact on employment authorization timelines for EB-3 workers already in the U.S.