USCIS Orders Hold and Review of Benefit Applications for Nationals of Countries Listed in PP 10998
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 on January 1, 2026, directing an adjudicative hold on pending benefit applications filed by or for nationals of countries named in Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10998.
- The hold pauses adjudication while USCIS conducts a further review for national security and public-safety concerns, potentially adding weeks or months to processing times.
- A wide range of applications could be affected — including adjustment of status, naturalization, and nonimmigrant benefit petitions — though eligibility rules themselves are not changed by the memo.
- Applicants, petitioners, and counsel should expect delays, possible requests for additional information, and updated USCIS guidance; consider monitoring case status and preparing to respond promptly to requests.
What the memorandum says
It has been reported that USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 directing agency personnel to place an adjudicative hold on pending benefit applications filed by or for nationals of countries named in Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10998, "Restricting and Limiting..." The memo instructs adjudicators to pause action on these cases to allow for a further review process tied to concerns identified in the proclamation. An adjudicative hold means a formal pause in processing — no approval, denial, or routine adjudicative steps while the case is under review.
Who is affected and the human impact
The directive covers nationals of the countries listed in PP 10998; the proclamation — a presidential directive that restricts or limits certain immigration pathways for specified countries — establishes the list. While the memo does not change statutory eligibility requirements for benefits, real people will see slower movement on their cases. Adjustment of status applicants (I‑485), naturalization applicants (N‑400), family- and employment-based petitions, and nonimmigrant beneficiary petitions could all face additional delays depending on how broadly USCIS applies the hold. For immigrants and families, delays can mean prolonged uncertainty, deferred travel and work authorization, and increased emotional and financial strain.
Practical effects and next steps for applicants
USCIS review for national security or public-safety concerns typically involves additional vetting and coordination with other agencies; expect processing times to increase and, in some cases, to see Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny. Applicants and attorneys should monitor USCIS case status online, ensure contact information is up to date, and be ready to submit any requested documents quickly. Because the memo is an internal policy directive rather than a change in statute, legal options (such as motions or appeals) remain available in appropriate cases, but those remedies do not guarantee faster resolution while the hold is in place.
Source: Original Article