Recently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily paused the processing of green cards (I-485) for refugees and political asylees. One of the direct impacts of this suspension is the extension of wait times for family-based green card applications. Immigration lawyer Susan Qin pointed out that in the past, the wait time for green card holders applying for family reunification, including spouses and unmarried children, was approximately 4 to 6 years, but it is now likely to be extended to over 10 years.
USCIS has temporarily halted the processing of certain Adjustment of Status applications, including the green cards for refugees and political asylees (I-485). The Department of Homeland Security explained in a statement that this decision was made due to the need for stricter background checks on immigrants to identify potential fraud, public safety, or national security issues. Qin stated that although the policy primarily focuses on refugees from Ukraine and Latin America, it affects all approved asylum or refugee applicants, including the Chinese community. The most direct impact is the continued delay in family reunification wait times.
The suspension of green card processing is attributed to the need for a re-evaluation of the “voting” process, which involves thorough background checks. Qin explained that this policy primarily targets refugee applicants from Ukraine and South America, as they may not have undergone comprehensive background checks during the application process. She mentioned that while the policy does not explicitly name China as a subject of scrutiny, the processing of I-485 applications for all asylum or refugee status holders, including Chinese individuals, has been simultaneously suspended. Qin emphasized that even if you have already been granted asylum status, if any suspicious findings come up during the background check, your green card may still be denied or even revoked.
While the green card applications for asylees or refugees are currently paused, the I-730 family reunification application process remains open. This category is for immigrants who have obtained an A5 card through asylum and wish to apply for family reunification. It is important to note that this application must be submitted within one year of receiving asylum and completed before filing the green card application (I-485) to maintain eligibility.
Qin cautioned that there have been cases where applicants have made statements on social media that contradict their reasons for seeking asylum, leading the government to question the legitimacy of their claims, ultimately resulting in a reassessment or revocation of their cases. Therefore, applicants should exercise caution and refrain from posting sensitive or controversial comments online, especially those related to politics, fraud, public safety, or national security, until their green card is approved.
She also pointed out that some applicants who entered the US through border “entry points” rapidly obtained asylum through expedited proceedings at detention centers, with limited background investigation time. The US is now intensifying re-examinations of such cases to address procedural vulnerabilities and guard against potential security risks.
The Law Office of Susan Qin is a full-service immigration law firm offering expert guidance and representation on all aspects of immigration law for individuals and businesses. Their experienced team of immigration lawyers is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complex immigration system and achieve their goals, including work visas, green cards, and citizenship. With 40 years of experience, the firm has successfully handled thousands of cases.
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