- A federal judge vacated four unlawful USCIS policies that previously suspended asylum and benefit adjudications.
- The ruling effectively ends the Global Asylum Hold Policy and country-based freezes for 39 nations.
- Standard processing times apply, with green cards taking 8-14 months according to June 2026 estimates.
(RHODE ISLAND) — USCIS cases tied to recent nationwide holds should begin moving faster after a federal judge vacated the policies on June 5, 2026, although the agency’s posted processing times, as of June 2026, still remain estimates that vary by form, office, and case history.
Chief Judge John J McConnell Jr of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted summary judgment in Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, case 1:26-cv-00132. The court declared four USCIS policies unlawful and vacated them nationwide. The order said the agency relied on authority it did not have and violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
The ruling reaches the Global Asylum Hold Policy, which had suspended affirmative asylum adjudications across the country. It also vacates a benefits hold that froze adjudications for people from 39 designated countries, a re-review policy that reopened past approvals for some applicants from those countries, and guidance that treated country of origin as a negative discretionary factor.
That should change the pace for several case types. Affirmative asylum interviews and decisions should resume nationwide. Adjustment, work permit, travel document, and naturalization cases that were paused under categorical country-based holds should return to ordinary case processing. Previously approved cases also cannot be reopened solely because of nationality or an entry date tied to those policies.
USCIS has not yet posted a separate public timetable for clearing cases delayed by the vacated policies. Posted processing times still come from the agency’s online tool at USCIS processing times page. Those figures are estimates, as of June 2026, and they vary by service center, field office, and form category.
Applicants affected by the court order should still expect ordinary delay points. Requests for Evidence, called RFEs, can add months. Interviews at local field offices can slow Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Security checks, background review, and file transfers also affect timing.
| Form or case type | Typical USCIS estimate as of June 2026 | Where delays often occur |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | 8 to 14 months | Interview scheduling, medical exam issues, RFEs, background checks |
| Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization | 3 to 7 months | Category review, pending underlying case, biometrics reuse |
| Form I-131, Application for Travel Document | 4 to 8 months | Document requests, travel eligibility review, workload shifts |
| Form N-400, Application for Naturalization | 6 to 10 months | Interview and oath scheduling, name checks, prior file review |
| Affirmative asylum | Check local asylum office updates; timelines vary widely | Interview capacity, security vetting, backlog after the hold |
The case also names the policy direction of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. In a related May 22, 2026 press release about policy memo PM-602-0199, USCIS defended a stricter adjudication approach. Judge McConnell’s order rejected the legal basis for the four challenged policies and found the government’s national security rationale pretextual.
⏱️ Processing Time: USCIS processing times are estimates, as of June 2026. Check the official tool at USCIS processing times page.
Applicants waiting on delayed benefits should check both case status and posted times. Use USCIS online account for account access and case updates. Use the receipt number on the Form I-797 notice. If a case has moved past normal time, submit an outside-normal-processing inquiry through the USCIS online account or call 1-800-375-5283.
Expedite requests remain available in limited situations. USCIS generally considers severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian reasons, nonprofit interests, government interests, or clear USCIS error. A court ruling alone does not create automatic expedited handling. File the request after receiving the receipt notice, and include records that prove urgency, such as medical letters, eviction notices, or employer loss statements.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Do not send duplicate applications because a case was delayed by a hold. A second filing can cause confusion, rejection, or fee loss.
Fee rules still apply while processing resumes. As of June 2026, applicants should verify current amounts at USCIS fee schedule. Wrong fees can lead to rejection. Biometrics fees are separate for some forms and included for others. Fee waivers may be available in eligible cases through Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver.
| Form | Purpose | Fee to verify as of June 2026 | Check status at |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Green card inside the United States | See USCIS fee schedule | USCIS online account |
| I-765 | Employment authorization document | See USCIS fee schedule | USCIS online account |
| I-131 | Advance parole or other travel document | See USCIS fee schedule | USCIS online account |
| N-400 | Naturalization | See USCIS fee schedule | USCIS online account |
Anyone affected by the vacated holds should keep copies of receipt notices, RFEs, interview notices, and prior approval notices. Check the case weekly, respond to any USCIS notice by the stated deadline, and update any address change through USCIS right away. Cases paused under the Global Asylum Hold Policy or the country-based benefits hold should now move under standard adjudication rules, subject to normal USCIS workloads.
📋 Official Resources: Download forms at USCIS forms page. Check processing times at USCIS processing times page. Fees and processing times are subject to change, always verify current information at USCIS website.
