USCIS Enhanced Screening & Vetting Policy Update
On March 30th, 2026, USCIS issued a public alert outlining enhancements to its screening and vetting procedures, implemented in response to Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998, which restrict entry of nationals from 39 designated countries.
Following an internal review, USCIS concluded that prior vetting measures were inadequate and determined that applications were approved and individuals naturalized who should not have been. The agency cited this as creating national security and public safety risks that undermine the integrity of the immigration system.
To carry out these increased security measures, USCIS issued three policy memoranda placing holds on the following benefit categories: - PM-602-0192: Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries; - PM-602-0193: Hold and Review of Pending USCIS Adjustment of Status Applications Filed by Aliens Under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program - PM-602-0194: Hold and Review of USCIS Benefit Application Filed by Aliens from Additional High-Risk Countries
I. Enhanced Screening and Vetting Practices: USCIS has taken the following actions to enhance screening and vetting practices:
Shortened validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents to require more frequent security checks;
Updated photograph reuse policies including biometric identity verification when reusing fingerprints;
Increased social media, financial vetting, and community interviews;
Launched Operation PARRIS to conduct additional background checks, re-interviews, and merit reviews of refugee claims;
Developed system connectivity for automatic notifications of biometric matches and new criminal information; and
Required final arrest encounter reviews and Department of State Consular Consolidated Database checks before final adjudication.
II. Categories with Lifted Holds: USCIS has established an internal review process to lift holds on induvial and group cased. However, USCIS has not published further information regarding the process details. Holds have been lifted for the following individuals:
Foreign nationals vetted through Operation PARRIS;
Certain petitions filed by U.S. citizens;
Intercountry adoption forms;
Certain rescheduled oath ceremonies;
Statutory and regulatory decision issuance;
Refugee registrations for South African citizens/nationals;
Certain special immigrant visa petitions;
Certain employment authorization documents; and
Asylum applications from non-high-risk countries.
USCIS is conducting a country specific risk analysis with the Department of State to recommend further “improvements” to existing screening practices. The agency is also developing a vetting plan including classified and unclassified information, expanded criminal history checks, identity verification, and ad hoc security checks. Furthermore, USCIS is developing guidance for adjudicators to align interview resources for country specific risks including document reliability and designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
Additional holds may be lifted on a rolling individual or group basis. We will continue to monitor USCIS guidance and provide updates as this situation evolves.