A federal court recently blocked U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies that had paused certain immigration applications involving people from 39 countries. USCIS says the court ordered affected applications to return to normal processing.
For families and employers in Georgia, this change may bring movement to cases that had been waiting. However, the ruling does not guarantee an immediate decision or approval.
Check your case before filing anything new
If a pending case was affected by the 39-country processing hold, you can check its status online using the USCIS receipt number. Make sure USCIS also has your current mailing address so you do not miss notices, interview appointments or requests for evidence.
Review any notices you have received and note upcoming deadlines. There is no special form to file simply to restart a case affected by the hold. You should still respond to any USCIS request for evidence or other notice by the deadline provided.
Expect processing times to vary
Processing times will vary depending on the application type and office handling the case.
USCIS provides online processing time estimates. If a case is outside the normal processing time, you may be able to submit an inquiry about the delay. You can also contact USCIS when its online tools do not address the issue.
Keep in mind that the ruling concerns applications handled by USCIS. Separate State Department rules may still affect visas issued abroad, while other federal restrictions may affect entry into the United States. Resumed USCIS processing therefore does not guarantee a visa or entry into the country.
Stay alert for new USCIS updates
Immigration policies and court orders can change. Checking official USCIS notices and keeping case information current can help you respond to new developments. If you are unsure how a change affects a pending application or your family immigration options, discussing your situation with an immigration professional can help clarify possible next steps.