Report that USCIS is Pausing Adjudication of Pending Benefit Applications Due to Implementation of New Vetting Process 
| April 30, 2026 

Over the past few days, we have been received reports that USCIS field and asylum office personnel are informing applicants that adjudications are now subject to a hold on a nationwide basis. While initial information suggests that only adjustment of status and asylum cases are affected, the full scope of the pause is currently unclear. USCIS has not yet formally announced the purpose, scope or duration of the pause.  

Numerous reports indicate that a new security vetting process took effect on April 27, 2026, which requires resubmission of fingerprints for almost all pending cases for which fingerprints were previously submitted. It is expected that new applications will not be submitted for fingerprint checks until the resubmitted applications have completed the updated vetting process. 

Meltzer Hellrung will continue to monitor this development and provide updates as additional information becomes available. If you have specific questions about how the adjudication pause may affect your workforce, please contact a Meltzer Hellrung attorney.