1. If you have a pending immigration application of any kind: 

• The USCIS has announced via the social media platform, X, that it has stopped processing “all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals” indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.  In addition, we have heard from our colleagues at the American Immigration Lawyers Association that USCIS has now issued an order to pause final decisions (approvals or denials) for ALL FORM TYPES, as well as Naturalization Oath Ceremonies for Afghan nationals and nationals of other Travel Ban countries.  You can expect that this new policy will delay decisions on your and your family’s applications. 

• In addition, the USCIS has issued guidance allowing "for negative, country-specific factors to be considered when vetting" immigrants from Afghanistan.  We expect that this new guidance will make it more difficult for Afghans to receive approvals of their applications for asylum, green cards and citizenship.  However, it is not clear yet how the new guidance will be applied. 

 

2. If you have a pending asylum application on file: 

• The USCIS has issued a policy memorandum to its officers  placing a hold on all asylum applications for applicants from Afghanistan.  You can expect that this new policy will delay decisions on your asylum application, even if the USCIS begins processing immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals again.  We understand that interviews have not been paused, so it is possible that you may have an interview scheduled.

 

3. If you are a refugee with a pending green card application (Form I-485): 

• USCIS Director Joe Edlow issued an internal memo ordering USCIS personnel to review and potentially re-interview all refugee approvals from January 21, 2021, to February 20, 2025. This memo also orders USCIS to stop processing any applications to adjust status filed by refugees, their derivatives, and follow-to-join refugees admitted during this timeframe. You can expect that this new policy will delay decisions on your green card application, even if the USCIS begins processing immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals again.   

 

4. If you have an application pending for a family member outside the U.S. to join you in the U.S.: 

• If you are awaiting approval of a Follow-to-Join application for your family member (Form I-730 or a Form I-824), the USCIS has announced that it has stopped processing “all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals” indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.  You can expect that this new policy will delay decisions on your family’s applications. 

• If you have an approved Form I-730, Refugee/Asylum Relative Petition, the travel ban announced in June 2025 is being applied to Forms I-730.  As a result, you can expect your family member to be denied a visa under the travel ban, even if he or she successfully completes his or her interview at the embassy. 

• If you are an Afghan SIV with a pending DS-260 for a family member, the U.S. Department of State has announced via the social media platform, X, that it “has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.”  You can expect that your family member will be denied a visa even if he or she otherwise successfully completes his or her interview at the embassy.  We understand, however, that interviews have not been paused, so it is possible for your family member to scheduled for an interview. 

 

5. If you have been issued asylum, refugee status, a green card, or any other immigration benefit:

• USCIS has issued a policy memorandum to its officers calling for a comprehensive re-review of all approved benefits requests for anyone from Afghanistan who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.  It’s not clear yet, however, what the process for reexamination will be or what standards will apply. 

 

6. If you have been issued refugee status: 

• The director of the USCIS issued an internal memo ordering USCIS to review and potentially re-interview all refugee approvals from January 21, 2021, to February 20, 2025. This memo also orders USCIS to stop adjudicating any applications to adjust status filed by refugees, their derivatives, and follow-to-join refugees admitted during this timeframe.  USCIS will be looking at all eligibility criteria.  The memo specifically emphasizes that it will review whether the applicant is ineligible to be a refugee because the applicant persecuted others based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. 

 

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