‍Court Order and USCIS's Response

On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a sweeping decision in Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, et al. v. USCIS et al., No. 1:26-cv-00132-JJM-PAS, vacating three USCIS policy memoranda that had paused or restricted adjudication of a wide range of immigration benefit requests. The court entered final judgment on June 11, 2026, clarifying that the vacatur is effective immediately and applies agency-wide. On June 12, 2026, USCIS confirmed that, while it disagrees with the ruling, it will comply with the order pending further litigation.

Background: The Three Vacated Policies

The three policies at issue were PM 602-0192, issued December 2, 2025, which placed a hold on all pending asylum applications (Form I-589) and on pending and previously approved benefit requests filed by nationals of 19 countries designated under Presidential Proclamation 10949; PM 602-0194, issued January 1, 2026, which expanded that hold to additional countries designated under Presidential Proclamation 10998; and PA 2025-26, issued November 27, 2025, which directed adjudicators to treat an applicant's country of origin as a significant negative factor in discretionary decisions, including adjustment of status applications (Form I-485), waiver applications, employment authorization requests (Form I-765), and nonimmigrant petitions for extension or change of status (Forms I-129 and I-539). Together, these policies affected applicants connected to 39 countries and the Palestinian Authority and led to indefinite delays in processing for many individuals, including those with otherwise approvable cases.

What the Ruling Does and Does Not Change

In its decision, the court found that the challenged policies exceeded USCIS's statutory authority and were arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, and it ordered all three vacated and set aside nationwide. It is important to note what the ruling does not do: the underlying travel restrictions in Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998 remain in effect. The court's order addresses only the adjudication holds and discretionary-factor guidance that USCIS layered on top of those proclamations, not the entry restrictions themselves.

What This Means for Pending Cases

For clients with pending applications that were placed on hold or delayed because of these policies, this development may mean that adjudication can now move forward. That said, the government filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on June 12, 2026, so the legal landscape could continue to shift while that appeal proceeds. Applicants and employers should expect USCIS to issue further implementation guidance and should monitor their cases closely for signs of renewed activity, including requests for evidence, interview notices, or updated processing times.

If you have a pending adjustment of status case, employment authorization request, or nonimmigrant petition that has been affected by these holds, or if you have questions about how this ruling may apply to your situation, please contact our office at 703-348-1663 to discuss your case with one of our attorneys. 

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