What’s Happening

Various news outlets and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) have confirmed that recent internal guidance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) signals a significant shift in adjudication procedures that will directly affect employment-based immigration processes. According to reporting by CBS News, the agency is now requiring expanded FBI background checks for a broad range of immigration benefits, including adjustment of status (Form I-485) and naturalization applications. 

In response to media inquiries, USCIS has stated that “any delay in decision issuance should be brief and resolved shortly.” However, given the practical implications of re-vetting cases, the current length of the expected delays is unknown.