USCIS Expected To Pause Adjudication Of Fingerprint-Based Benefit Requests After April 27

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to pause adjudication of all fingerprint-based benefit requests, according to a legal update from Morgan Lewis that says “We anticipate that applications requiring fingerprinting will be placed under an adjudication pause.”

“Home / Immigration / What US' new 'enhanced security checks' mean for immigration applicants What US' new 'enhanced security checks' mean for immigration applicants The US isn't shutting its doors-but it is making entry harder, slower, and more scrutinised”

Business Standard

The pause is described as being tied to a new security vetting process at USCIS that “became effective as of April 27,” with an internal memo directing officers to “submit pending applications for enhanced FBI background checks and withhold adjudication until the security clearances were completed.”

Diario Las Américas

Morgan Lewis says the initial round of impacted cases is expected to encompass “those for which fingerprints had already been provided before April 27,” and that this includes “Adjustment of Status and asylum applications” while also expected to impact “a broader range of adjudications, such as family-based green card sponsorship petitions as well as any other application requiring the submission of biometrics.”

The same legal update adds that “It is expected that newly filed cases received after April 27 will be placed in a queue,” to be processed for fingerprint checks only after the backlog of previously filed cases completes the new security vetting process.

It also notes an exception: “The only exception at this time appears to be for US citizenship applications whose oath ceremonies have already been scheduled.”

Across multiple reports, the policy is framed as a shift in how USCIS handles fingerprint-based background checks, with internal guidance and public statements emphasizing expanded FBI criminal history access and a pause on approvals until checks are completed.

Multiple outlets tie the operational change to April 27, 2026, describing how USCIS will receive enhanced criminal history record information through the FBI’s Next Generation Identification system.

Business Standard reports that an internal USCIS email seen by Reuters said: “Effective April 27, 2026, USCIS will begin receiving enhanced criminal history record information (CHRI) for all fingerprint-based background checks submitted to the FBI's Next Generation Identification system.”

International Business Times UK

The same report says internal guidance directed officers to “refrain from approving any ‌pending cases ??that have ??not undergone the expanded background checks,” and it describes resubmission requirements for some pending applicants.

Business Standard also states that USCIS officers were directed to “resubmit fingerprints for pending cases if the FBI information for those cases was received prior to April 27,” and it frames the policy as affecting “applications for permanent U.S. residency or green cards ??and naturalization.”

The Financial Express similarly describes a directive that “took effect on 27 April,” when USCIS began receiving what it calls “enhanced criminal history record information” through the FBI’s Next Generation Identification system, and it says officers were told not to approve applications that “hasn't cleared the new screening.”

NOTUS and Caliber.Az both echo the same core mechanism: USCIS instructed officers to use greater access to FBI databases and to withhold approvals until the new vetting process is completed, with NOTUS quoting USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler saying, “USCIS has implemented new security checks to strengthen the vetting and screening of applicants through expanded access to federal criminal databases.”

The expanded FBI checks are linked in the reporting to an executive order signed in February that directs DHS immigration authorities and the Justice Department to access criminal history record information in federal criminal justice agencies.

“MIAMI — The measure to review the Green Card (the U”

Diario Las Américas

Business Standard says the latest guidance follows an executive order Trump signed in February which directed that “DHS immigration authorities must access criminal history record information (CHRI) in the custody of federal criminal justice agencies to ‌the maximum extent permitted by law.”

Caliber.Az similarly describes a February executive order by President Trump directing the Justice Department to expand USCIS access to FBI criminal history databases “to the maximum extent permitted by law.”

NOTUS quotes the same executive-order language about criminal actors, stating: “Such criminal actors may include foreign nationals with criminal histories who have entered or remained in the United States in violation of the immigration laws of the United States or who otherwise seek to violate the criminal laws of the United States,” Trump wrote in the order.

The Financial Express adds that the changes trace back to “Executive Order 14385, signed by President Trump on 6 February,” which directed the Justice Department to give USCIS access to FBI criminal history records “to the maximum extent permitted by law.”

In the same reporting ecosystem, USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler is quoted emphasizing safety and short delays, telling CBS News: “Processing is ongoing as we apply these enhanced background check requirements. Any delay in decision issuance should be brief and resolved shortly,” and that “USCIS will always prioritize the safety of the American people.”

The policy is described as affecting immigration benefits that require biometrics, with multiple sources listing categories that include asylum, green cards, and naturalization.

Business Standard says the enhanced checks will affect pending applications for which immigrants submit fingerprints, “like applications for permanent U.S. residency or green cards ??and naturalization,” and it also says the rule applies to “any immigration process that requires biometrics (fingerprints).”

Morgan Lewis

The Financial Express describes the directive as affecting “asylum, green cards and US citizenship, among other immigration benefits,” and it says the directive hits “anyone who submits fingerprints as part of their application,” including relatives sponsored by American citizens.

Caliber.Az and La Nación both describe the same fingerprint-based scope and the possibility of resubmission, with La Nación stating that “some cases could require a new fingerprinting.”

La Nación also reports that immigration attorney Jaime Barrón told CNN that officials could summon certain petitioners for a new fingerprinting appointment, and it adds that some migrants could lose authorization to stay legally if renewal is in process and they have only a few months left to obtain it.

Morgan Lewis warns that “Given the extraordinarily large volume of cases that will require fingerprint processing, this new system is expected to result in substantial adjudication delays.”

Beyond the fingerprint-based pause, Diario Las Américas reports that USCIS announced an “exhaustive” review of Green Cards awarded during Joe Biden’s administration, beginning with the reopening of 33,000 cases.

“The FBI opens its database to USCIS: What this means for migrants with pending cases”

La Nación

The outlet says the process “begins with the reopening of 33,000 cases,” and it describes the review as “lawful” and “does not mean automatic revocation,” while immigration experts consulted by the outlet emphasize administrative legality and due process.

NOTUS

Diario Las Américas quotes immigration specialist María Herrera Mellado saying: “The State has the power to review immigration benefits previously granted if there are indications of error, fraud, omission of relevant information, or noncompliance with legal requirements,” and it adds that the review “responds to the principle of administrative legality and the government's obligation to ensure that immigration benefits were granted in accordance with the law.”

Herrera Mellado is also quoted warning that “the fact that up to 4 million cases are being reviewed does not mean those people are automatically 'under suspicion' of fraud or illegality,” and she says it means the authority wants “to re-verify that those benefits were granted according to law.”

The outlet also quotes Herrera Mellado on revocation, saying: “Each case must be evaluated individually with the guarantees of due process, including notice, opportunity to defend, and judicial review, and if done in accordance with these principles, the process will be long and selective.”

Isadora Velázquez is quoted saying: “as of now, it is estimated that there are 33,000 cases to be reopened, based on this investigative measure,” and she adds: “The Green Card remains valid until there is an official decision by an official authority.”