The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has reported that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused all pending procedures for immigrants who entered the U.S. under certain humanitarian programs. This decision was made through a memorandum dated February 14, 2025, signed by Andrew Davidson, Acting Deputy Director of USCIS.
Who is affected by this suspension?
This measure affects people who entered the U.S. with temporary permits under the following programs:
- Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) – For Ukrainian refugees.
- CHNV (Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans) – Program for citizens of these countries.
- FRP (Family Reunification Parole) – For those seeking family reunification.
If someone came to the U.S. under these programs and has a pending application at USCIS (e.g., asylum, work permit, or green card), their processing will be frozen until further notice.
Why did USCIS make this decision?
USCIS explained that the suspension is due to the fact that they are reviewing possible problems of fraud, public safety and national security risks. According to the memo, there are instances where warning signs have not been properly detected in the USCIS system, raising concerns about the process of evaluating these permits.
Are there exceptions to the suspension?
No. The only way for a case to be reviewed during the stay is if it is involved in a legal lawsuit and receives special approval from the USCIS Direction.
How long will the suspension last?
There is no specific date for the end of the pause. USCIS has only said that they could lift it after conducting a full review of immigrants who entered under these programs.
How does it affect those who have already applied for a benefit?
All applications related to these permissions will be paused, including:
- Work Permits (Form I-765)
- Green Card (Form I-485)
- Citizenship (Form N-400)
- Family Petitions (Forms I-130 and I-140)
- Asylum and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Additionally, on March 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially announced that it will cancel parole for individuals in the CHNV program. This means that those who entered under this program could lose their status and be at risk of deportation.
Conclusion
If you know someone who is waiting for a response from USCIS and entered with any of these permits, contact Jorge Munoz Law Firm if you seek advise. The pause in paperwork could delay your plans to obtain residency, work permits or citizenship.
