USCIS resumes immigration processing for certain cases that had been placed on hold under enhanced security review policies affecting asylum applications and certain immigration benefits. The change may allow some pending cases to move forward again, but it does not mean every application will be approved automatically or that all immigration restrictions have ended.
In a recent interview, immigration attorney Haim Vasquez explained who may benefit from this change, which types of applications may be affected, and why people with pending cases should review their situation before assuming their case will restart on its own.
For people who have been waiting months for a decision, this change may be significant. However, every application remains subject to its own eligibility requirements, background checks, security screening, and possible additional review.
Watch the full interview with Attorney Haim Vasquez on the Haim Vasquez Legal Group YouTube channel, and follow the firm on Facebook and Instagram for more immigration updates in English and Spanish.
Why Is USCIS Resuming Immigration Processing?
In December 2025, USCIS implemented policies that paused all pending asylum applications, regardless of the applicant’s nationality, along with certain immigration benefit applications filed by nationals of countries the government identified as presenting heightened national security concerns.
USCIS later expanded those policies to additional countries.
The situation changed on June 5, 2026, when the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island vacated three USCIS policies: PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194, and PA-2025-26.
The court issued its final judgment on June 11, 2026. USCIS subsequently confirmed that the ruling applies agency-wide and that those policies should no longer be treated as effective while related litigation continues.
In practical terms, when USCIS resumes immigration processing, the agency can no longer keep certain cases on hold solely because of those vacated policies.
However, resumed processing does not mean automatic approval.
Who May Benefit From the Change?
The impact depends on the type of application, the applicant’s nationality, and the specific reason the case had stopped moving.
Some of the cases that may be affected include the following.
Pending Asylum Applications
One of the vacated policies had placed all pending asylum applications before USCIS on hold, regardless of the applicant’s country of origin.
The removal of that policy allows USCIS to continue adjudicating asylum applications that had been subject to the pause.
This does not mean every applicant will receive an immediate decision. USCIS may still require:
- Interviews
- Additional evidence
- Background checks
- Security screening
- Other case-specific review
Employment Authorization Applications
Some people with pending immigration applications also apply for employment authorization using Form I-765.
This may include certain asylum applicants and individuals who qualify under other immigration categories.
If an employment authorization application was affected by one of the policies that has now been vacated, it is important to check the case status before automatically filing a new application.
Employment-Based Immigration Cases
As Attorney Haim Vasquez explained during the interview, some professionals, including physicians and other workers in certain employment-based classifications, may also have applications that can begin moving again.
The H-1B classification allows certain professionals to work in specialty occupations.
International physicians may also have cases involving J-1 exchange visitor programs and, in some circumstances, the Conrad 30 program for waiving the foreign residence requirement.
When USCIS resumes immigration processing, this change may affect employment-related petitions or applications that were specifically delayed under the policies that were struck down.
What About Applicants From Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela?
Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela were among the countries affected by federal immigration security and screening policies discussed during the interview.
Presidential Proclamation 10949, issued on June 4, 2025, established full entry restrictions for nationals of 12 countries, including Haiti, and partial restrictions for seven countries, including Cuba and Venezuela. The proclamation also included certain exceptions.
The June 2026 court ruling vacated specific USCIS policies involving the adjudication of pending applications.
It did not automatically eliminate:
- Entry restrictions
- Temporary Protected Status policies
- Parole rules
- Other immigration programs
- Separate policies affecting Cuban, Haitian, or Venezuelan nationals
For that reason, a person should not assume that their entire immigration situation has changed simply because USCIS has resumed processing certain applications.
Resumed Processing Does Not Mean Approval
This is one of the most important points to understand.
When USCIS resumes immigration processing, the agency may continue reviewing and deciding cases that were previously subject to a broad pause.
Applicants must still prove that they qualify for the immigration benefit they are requesting.
USCIS may continue to:
- Review immigration history
- Conduct security checks
- Request additional evidence
- Schedule interviews
- Review criminal history
- Examine entries and departures
- Compare information from previous immigration applications
Enhanced screening and security procedures may also continue even though the broad hold policies were vacated.
The change should therefore be understood as an opportunity for certain cases to move forward, not as a guarantee of approval.
What Should You Do If Your Case Was On Hold?
If you have a pending application that stopped moving, do not assume USCIS will immediately contact you. There are several steps you can take.
Find Your Receipt Number
Locate your Form I-797 or another USCIS notice related to your application or petition.
Your receipt number generally contains three letters followed by ten numbers and can be used to check your case status.
Check Your Case Status
USCIS allows applicants to use its Case Status Online tool to check the status of an application, petition, or benefit using the receipt number.
You should also review your USCIS online account if you filed online or connected a paper-filed case to your account.
Review USCIS Processing Times
USCIS publishes estimated processing times based on the form, category, and office handling the case.
The agency may also provide a date indicating when you can submit an inquiry if your case is taking longer than expected.
Do Not File a Duplicate Application Without Reviewing Your Case
Submitting another application for a benefit that is already pending may create unnecessary expenses or complications.
Before filing again, confirm what happened with the original application.
Speak With Your Attorney
As Attorney Haim Vasquez explained during the interview, people whose immigration cases were frozen should consider actively reviewing their pending matter.
Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may be able to:
- Determine whether the case was affected by a pause
- Review the USCIS case history
- Compare the case to current processing times
- Submit an inquiry when appropriate
- Communicate with USCIS
- Prepare for a possible Request for Evidence or interview
Has your immigration application been pending for months without movement? Contact Haim Vasquez Legal Group at (214) 833-3277 to review your situation.
Did This Change Also Reopen DACA?
Not necessarily.
The court ruling that vacated the USCIS hold policies does not mean every other immigration program has been reopened or changed.
USCIS continues to process DACA renewal requests and related employment authorization applications.
USCIS also continues to accept initial DACA requests, but those initial applications are not currently being processed under the applicable court order.
For that reason, this decision should not be interpreted as a general reopening of DACA.
USCIS and ICE Are Not the Same Agency
This distinction is especially important for people who are concerned about immigration enforcement.
USCIS administers immigration benefits, including certain applications involving:
- Permanent residence
- Citizenship
- Asylum
- Employment authorization
- Family petitions
- Employment-based immigration
ICE, on the other hand, is responsible for immigration enforcement functions that can include identifying, arresting, detaining, and removing certain individuals under U.S. immigration law.
The fact that USCIS resumes immigration processing does not mean ICE has stopped its enforcement operations.
Having a pending USCIS application also does not automatically protect a person from possible ICE action.
If you have:
- A prior removal order
- A pending immigration court case
- A complicated entry or departure history
- Arrests or criminal history
- Scheduled ICE check-ins
- Questions about your current immigration status
It may be important to review your complete immigration history with an attorney before attending an appointment or making decisions about your case.
What About Enhanced Security Screening?
The end of these specific hold policies does not mean USCIS has stopped conducting security reviews.
USCIS may continue performing background checks and evaluating relevant information before approving an immigration benefit.
Some cases may therefore continue taking longer than others.
Factors that can affect processing time include:
- Requests for Evidence
- Interviews
- Background checks
- Security screening
- Visa availability
- Case volume
- Operational changes
- The complexity of the individual application
A case that begins moving again may still require additional steps before USCIS issues a final decision.
What Does This Change Mean for Your Case?
The news that USCIS resumes immigration processing may be encouraging for people whose applications were delayed because of the policies that were vacated.
However, remember these three points:
- Resumed processing does not mean automatic approval.
- Not every immigration program or restriction has changed.
- The effect depends on your specific application and immigration history.
If your case has been inactive for months, this may be a good time to review your file, confirm the current status, and determine whether there are additional steps you should take.
Stay Informed Through Our Social Media
Immigration policies can change quickly, and a new announcement does not always affect every person in the same way.
Haim Vasquez Legal Group shares educational information to help individuals and families understand immigration developments and how those changes may affect pending cases.
To stay informed:
- Watch the full interview with Attorney Haim Vasquez on YouTube
- Follow Haim Vasquez Legal Group on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram for immigration videos and updates
- Share this article with someone who has a pending immigration case
- Visit our website for additional immigration resources
Our social media content is educational and does not replace an individual legal review.
How Haim Vasquez Legal Group Can Help
If USCIS resumes immigration processing and you have an application that has remained inactive, our legal team can help you understand what the change may mean for your case.
We can assist with:
- Review of pending USCIS cases
- Asylum applications
- Employment authorization
- Permanent residence cases
- Family-based petitions
- Employment-based immigration matters
- Immigration history reviews
- USCIS delay inquiries
- Evaluation of possible immigration risks
We provide bilingual guidance in English and Spanish and represent clients in immigration matters inside and outside Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USCIS automatically resuming every immigration case?
No. Certain broad hold policies are no longer in effect, but each case may move at a different pace and remains subject to individual review.
Does this mean my application will be approved?
No. Resumed processing allows USCIS to continue reviewing the case, but the applicant must still meet all requirements for the immigration benefit.
Can pending asylum applications move forward again?
Yes. One of the policies that was vacated had placed pending asylum applications under a broad processing hold. Those cases may now continue through the USCIS adjudication process.
What should I do if my USCIS case still has not moved?
Check your case status and current USCIS processing times. If your case is outside normal processing times, you may be able to submit an inquiry.
Does resumed USCIS processing mean ICE cannot detain me?
No. USCIS and ICE have different responsibilities. A pending or reactivated USCIS case does not automatically prevent immigration enforcement.
Should I submit my application again?
Not necessarily. First review the status of the pending case and obtain guidance before filing a duplicate application.
Review Your Case Before Waiting Longer
If your application has remained pending for months, do not assume that you must continue waiting without checking what is happening.
The fact that USCIS resumes immigration processing may create an opportunity for certain cases to begin moving again, but every immigration file requires an individual review.
Keep your USCIS notices, confirm your receipt number, check your case status, and seek guidance before submitting new documents or attending an appointment if you have concerns about your immigration history.
Legal Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration laws, policies, court orders, and procedures may change. Consult an immigration attorney regarding the specific facts of your case.
