Federal Court Revives Asylum and Benefit Processing After Overturning USCIS Holds

Federal Court Overturns USCIS Asylum and Benefit Holds, Resuming Standard Processing

A recent federal court decision has vacated four United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies that previously halted asylum and benefit adjudications. This ruling, effective June 5, 2026, ends the Global Asylum Hold Policy and country-based freezes for individuals from 39 nations. As a result, standard processing is resuming for thousands of immigration cases, though USCIS processing times remain estimates that can vary.

The decision came from Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island in the case Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS. The court found that the agency acted unlawfully by relying on authority it did not possess and violating the Administrative Procedure Act. This means that affirmative asylum interviews and decisions can proceed nationwide, and cases paused due to country-specific holds for benefits like adjustment of status, work permits, travel documents, and naturalization should return to normal processing. Previously approved cases also cannot be reopened simply based on nationality or an entry date linked to these now-vacated policies.

USCIS Processing Times in June 2026

While the court order aims to speed up cases delayed by the previous holds, USCIS has not yet provided a specific timeline for clearing this backlog. The agency’s online tool still provides estimated processing times as of June 2026. These estimates differ based on the specific form, the USCIS service center or field office handling the case, and the applicant’s history.

Applicants should be aware that standard delays can still occur. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) can add months to processing. Interviews at local field offices can also slow down applications for adjustment of status (Form I-485) and naturalization (Form N-400). Additionally, security checks, background reviews, and the transfer of case files can all impact how long a case takes.

Form or Case Type	Typical USCIS Estimate (June 2026)	Common Areas for Delays
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status	8 to 14 months	Interview scheduling, medical exam issues, RFEs, background checks
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization	3 to 7 months	Category review, pending underlying case, biometrics reuse
Form I-131, Application for Travel Document	4 to 8 months	Document requests, travel eligibility review, workload shifts
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization	6 to 10 months	Interview and oath scheduling, name checks, prior file review
Affirmative Asylum	Timelines vary widely; check local asylum office updates	Interview capacity, security vetting, backlog after the hold

Understanding the Vacated Policies

The federal judge’s ruling specifically targeted four USCIS policies. The Global Asylum Hold Policy had suspended the processing of affirmative asylum applications across the country. Another policy froze adjudications for individuals from 39 specific countries. A re-review policy allowed for the reopening of past approvals for some applicants from these countries, and separate guidance treated an applicant’s country of origin as a negative factor in discretionary decisions. Judge McConnell’s order found the legal basis for these policies to be flawed and rejected the government’s national security arguments as pretextual.

What Applicants Should Do

Individuals whose cases were affected by these vacated holds should continue to monitor their case status through their USCIS online account. They should also check the posted processing times for their specific form. If a case appears to be taking longer than the normal processing time, an inquiry can be submitted through the USCIS online account or by calling USCIS.

Expedited requests are still available in certain situations, such as severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian reasons, or government interests. However, a court ruling alone does not automatically qualify a case for expedited handling. Applicants seeking an expedite must file the request after receiving their receipt notice and provide supporting documentation that proves the urgency of their situation.

A common mistake to avoid is submitting duplicate applications because a case was delayed. Sending a second application can lead to confusion, rejection, or the loss of filing fees. It is important to follow the correct procedures and respond to any USCIS notices by the given deadline.

Fees and Documentation

Standard filing fees still apply as processing resumes. Applicants should verify the current fee amounts on the USCIS website, as incorrect fees can lead to rejection. Some forms have separate biometrics fees, while others include them. Fee waivers may be available for eligible cases through Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver.

Anyone impacted by the vacated holds should keep thorough records of all submitted documents, including receipt notices, RFEs, interview notices, and any prior approval notices. It is also important to update any address changes with USCIS promptly. Cases that were paused under the Global Asylum Hold Policy or the country-based benefits hold should now proceed under standard adjudication rules, subject to the agency’s regular workload.

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