On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an updated policy memorandum that paused the processing of applications for individuals who were born in or hold citizenship from countries listed in Presidential Proclamation 10998 (PP10998), which expanded the list of countries subject to full and partial travel bans.
This processing hold impacts all currently pending and any future filed USCIS benefit applications – such as Form I-765 applications for employment authorization (including for pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, STEM OPT or J-2 work permission), Form I-129 petitions for temporary workers (including H-1B petitions), and Form I-539 applications for extensions or changes of status. Pending applications that are subject to the hold policy may continue to receive Application Support Center Schedule Notices for Biometrics appointments, Requests for Evidence (RFE), etc.
USCIS will also conduct a re-review of applications approved on or after January 20, 2021, if filed by or on behalf of foreign nationals of countries listed in PP10998.
If you have questions or concerns, or would like to speak to an adviser for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact ISSO.
