USCIS Implements Travel Ban Update Affecting Immigration Applications

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant update regarding the processing of immigration benefit applications for nationals from certain countries, as outlined in Presidential Proclamation 10998. This policy memo, issued on January 1, 2026, expands the hold on adjudications for applications filed by individuals from the affected nations.

Key Points of the Policy Memo

1. Hold on Pending Applications
   USCIS personnel are instructed to place a hold on all pending immigration benefit applications for nationals of the countries listed in PP 10998. This hold applies regardless of the entry date of the applicants, with certain exceptions.

2. Comprehensive Review
   A broad review of USCIS policies, procedures, and vetting processes for benefit requests involving nationals from the specified countries will be conducted. This comprehensive review aims to ensure thorough screening and evaluation of applications.

3. Re-review of Approved Cases
   USCIS will also conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests for nationals from these countries that were approved on or after January 20, 2021.

Countries Affected

The countries impacted by this policy include:

• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burma
• Burundi
• Chad
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tonga
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Additionally, this policy applies to individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued or -endorsed travel documents.

Exceptions to the Hold

There are limited exceptions to the hold on applications, which include:

• Pending Form I-90, N-565, N-600 applications
• Certain cases requested by ICE
• Specific categories of Form I-765
• Initial I-765 (c)(8) applications
• Cases deemed to serve U.S. national interest
• Applications related to major sporting events
• Requests tied to program terminations
• Automatic termination decisions associated with becoming a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or naturalized citizen.

Next Steps

USCIS has indicated that operational guidance regarding this policy is expected within 90 days. As officers implement the new policy, delays in processing times are anticipated as cases undergo supervisory review.

This update is crucial for individuals from the affected countries who are seeking immigration benefits and highlights the ongoing changes in U.S. immigration policy.

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Source: Jennifer Bade, Esq.