A federal judge in Maryland ruled that USCIS cannot stop processing green card applications for people affected by travel restrictions.
The court ordered the agency to continue reviewing adjustment of status applications instead of placing them on indefinite hold.
This decision affects how immigration agencies handle cases tied to presidential travel bans and internal USCIS policies.
Court Rejects USCIS Indefinite Hold on Green Card Cases
More than 80 immigrants and their families challenged USCIS after the agency paused their green card applications.
They argued that the government failed to make decisions on their cases for an unreasonable amount of time.
Judge George L. Russell III agreed that USCIS must continue processing applications.
He explained that immigration officers may conduct additional screening. However, they cannot stop adjudication without legal authority.
You can read the decision here:
Judge Russell’s Decision (PDF)
Travel Restrictions and USCIS Policy Changes
USCIS issued internal guidance after presidential travel restrictions affected multiple countries.
These policies impacted applicants from regions including Africa, the Middle East, and other designated countries.
The agency then placed certain green card applications on hold.
Applicants challenged these delays in court.
They argued that USCIS created uncertainty by stopping case processing without a clear timeline.
Read more about the travel restrictions here:
Presidential Travel Restrictions Overview
You can also review related coverage here:
Expanded Travel Restrictions Affect Multiple Countries
Court Finds No Authority for Indefinite Processing Delays
The court found that USCIS lacks clear authority to pause all adjudications indefinitely.
The government argued that it has discretion over case processing.
However, the court explained that discretion does not allow USCIS to stop decisions entirely.
The judge noted that past cases involved temporary delays tied to visa availability.
In contrast, this policy had no clear endpoint or condition for resuming review.
As a result, the court allowed judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Harm Caused by Green Card Processing Delays
The court also reviewed the harm experienced by applicants.
Many people lost job opportunities because they could not prove stable immigration status.
Others could not travel or reunite with family members abroad.
The court found these harms serious and immediate.
Other federal courts have also recognized similar harms in immigration delay cases.
What This Decision Means for Immigration Cases
This ruling does not require USCIS to approve green card applications.
However, it does require the agency to resume processing them.
The court also limited the government’s ability to rely on internal memos to suspend cases.
Immigration agencies must follow legal standards when delaying or pausing adjudication.
This decision may affect how USCIS handles similar policies in the future.
Why This Matters for Green Card Applicants
Green card applicants should not remain in indefinite processing delays without legal justification.
This case reinforces that immigration agencies must issue timely decisions.
It also shows how policy changes can directly affect work authorization, travel, and family unity.
Courts continue to review how far USCIS can go when implementing internal processing rules.
Speak With an Immigration Attorney
If your green card case is delayed or placed on hold, you should understand your legal options.
Call our office today at (818) 900-5707 to speak with an experienced immigration attorney.
We can review your case, explain your rights, and help you take the next steps.
