Following recent national security concerns, USCIS has released Policy Memorandum PM-602-0192, directing officers to place an adjudicative hold on certain immigration applications and conduct comprehensive re-reviews for applicants from 19 high-risk countries identified in Presidential Proclamation 10949.
This update builds on measures announced last week in response to the Washington, DC National Guard shooting.
Key Directives in the Policy Memorandum
Effective immediately, USCIS will:
- Hold all pending asylum applications (Form I-589) for comprehensive review, regardless of nationality.
- Place a hold on pending benefit requests filed by aliens from the 19 high-risk countries listed in PP 10949.
- Re-review previously approved benefit requests for individuals from these countries who entered the US on or after January 20, 2021.
The review process may include mandatory interviews or re-interviews, and USCIS will assess all national security and public safety concerns on a case-by-case basis.
USCIS emphasizes that while these measures may cause processing delays, they are necessary to ensure maximum vetting and security.
Who Is Affected?
- Asylum applicants (Form I-589)
- Applicants from the 19 high-risk countries seeking benefits such as:
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)
- Green Card replacement (Form I-90)
- Travel documents (Form I-131)
- Removal of conditions (Form I-751)
- Naturalization residence preservation (Form N-470)
Next Steps
Within 90 days, USCIS will:
- Prioritize cases for review and interviews
- Issue operational guidance in coordination with the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate
- Refer cases to ICE or law enforcement as appropriate
The adjudicative hold will remain in effect until lifted by the USCIS Director.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.