USCIS resumes processing of suspended immigration cases involving Afghan nationals and 38 other countries

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says it has resumed reviewing immigration applications that had previously been paused under an earlier policy affecting nationals of 39 countries, including Afghanistan and Iran. In a statement issued on Friday June 12, the agency said the move follows a federal court ruling that found the suspension of certain immigration case processing to be unlawful. According to USCIS, all cases affected by the policy will now be processed under standard procedures. The decision is of particular significance for thousands of Afghan migrants who entered the United States after 2021. Many of them have not yet received permanent residency (Green Card) or other immigration documents and had recently expressed concern over their legal status and the risk of deportation. The federal court ruling covers a broad range of immigration-related applications, including permanent residency (Green Card), U.S. citizenship, work permits, and other associated immigration benefits. USCIS stressed that all applications covered by the ruling will be reviewed in accordance with established laws and standard procedures.