Good news for green card applicants impacted by the 39-country ban.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it has resumed processing immigration applications for nationals from 39 countries after a federal court ordered the agency to halt policies that had frozen adjudications for months.

However, the government has already filed an appeal, meaning the future of these cases remains uncertain.

The case, Dorcas v. USCIS, challenged several USCIS policies that had suspended the processing of green card applications, work permits, naturalization applications, and certain asylum cases for individuals from designated countries. A federal judge ruled that these policies were unlawful and ordered USCIS to resume normal processing.

Importantly, the court’s decision requires USCIS to process applications, not automatically approve them. Applicants must still meet all eligibility requirements under existing immigration laws. Additionally, separate travel restrictions and other immigration policies remain in effect.

The impact of the ruling could be substantial. Many applicants had experienced months of uncertainty, including delays in work authorization, adjustment of status applications, and naturalization cases. Employers sponsoring foreign workers may also begin seeing movement on long-pending cases that had been stalled under the previous policies.

Despite complying with the court order, USCIS filed an appeal on June 12, 2026, signaling that the legal battle is far from over. Future court decisions could alter or delay the implementation of the ruling.

For now, individuals from the affected countries should closely monitor their pending applications and consult with an immigration attorney before making major decisions, particularly regarding international travel.

As the appeals process unfolds, our Law Office will be reporting on changing developments.

Key Takeaway

While USCIS has resumed processing immigration benefits for nationals from 39 countries, the government’s appeal means the situation remains fluid. Applicants should stay informed and continue monitoring their cases as the litigation progresses.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.

Helpful Links

• June Visa Bulletin
• Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
• Know your Rights if ICE visits your home or workplace
• Know your Rights Card (English)
• Know your Rights Card (Spanish)
• ICE Online Detainee Locator System
• ICE Immigration Detention Facilities
• USCIS Processing Times
• ImmigrationLawyerBlog
• ImmigrationU Membership 
• Success stories
• Youtube channel 

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