Immigration Law Update
USCIS Announces Updates to Adjudications Holds and Increased
Vetting Procedures.
Increased Vetting and Security Procedures:
On March 30, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a summaryoutlining strengthened screening and vetting procedures that it has implemented over the pastseveral months. These measures include enhanced security reviews and changes to how certainimmigration benefits are processed.
- Shortening the validity period of certain work permits
- Increased social media vetting
- Expanded financial vetting
- Additional security-related measures
These measures may lead to longer processing times for some applicants.
Update on Adjudications Holds
USCIS also confirmed that it has established an internal reviewprocess to lift adjudications holds on individual and group casesfollowing review by multiple USCIS offices.
Holds have already been lifted for the following categories:Applicants vetted through Operation PARRIS
- Certain petitions filed by U.S. citizens
- Intercountry adoption applications
- Selected rescheduled naturalization oath ceremonies
- Statutory and regulatory decision issuances
- Refugee registrations for South African nationals
- Certain Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) petitions
- Select employment authorization documents (EADs)
- Asylum applications from non high risk countries
USCIS stated that it will continue reviewing all application types and will lift holds whereappropriate.