USCIS Tightens Immigration Reviews, Creating Delays for High-Risk Countries

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a sweeping new policy that dramatically tightens the review process for immigration benefit requests from individuals from certain "high-risk" countries. This policy shift, enacted in response to Presidential Proclamation 10949, introduces indefinite delays and heightened scrutiny for thousands of applicants and beneficiaries. Key changes include placing holds on many pending applications—particularly asylum applications (I-589)—and mandating a re-review of previously approved requests like green cards and status changes for individuals from affected countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021. Adjudicators are now instructed to apply "country-specific factors" as a significant negative default when exercising discretion, fundamentally altering a system where prior approval typically meant proceeding with only standard processing delays.

The impact is profound and wide-reaching, affecting nationals from the 19 countries listed under PP 10949. For asylum seekers, properly filed I-589 applications may now be effectively frozen without interviews or adjudication. For those seeking adjustments, changes of status, or other benefits, pending cases face delays while previously approved cases risk being reopened, especially for post-January 2021 entries. This creates unprecedented uncertainty, as individuals who submitted applications in good faith or even received approvals now confront the possibility of re-interview, additional vetting, or referral to enforcement. The firm Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC, a boutique California-based immigration law practice, highlights these challenges, noting that their diverse team has represented thousands of clients worldwide since 1996, providing crucial support in navigating these complex immigration law landscapes.

In practice, this policy means that many people are now facing indefinite delays and additional scrutiny regardless of prior approval, a stark departure from previous norms. The net effect is a climate of heightened risk and prolonged uncertainty for vulnerable populations, including asylum applicants and those with pending or approved status. This development underscores the critical need for expert legal guidance, as firms like Bolour / Carl Immigration Group emphasize their commitment to helping individuals, families, and businesses pursue their immigration legal goals amidst these evolving challenges. The anchor text keywords, such as "immigration benefit requests" and "now facing indefinite delays," are incorporated to reflect the hyperlinked details in the original content, highlighting the urgent and transformative nature of these policy updates.