United States: USCIS Delays Adjudications for Re-Submission of Fingerprint-Based Background Checks
April 29, 2026
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At a glance
- On April 27, USCIS began using an enhanced FBI security check system and will pause the adjudication of certain pending applications for re-vetting under the new system.
- Immigration benefit applications for which fingerprints were collected and background checks submitted to the FBI before April 27, 2026 will be paused in order for USCIS officers to re-submit the applicant fingerprints on file to the new vetting system.
- Pending adjustment of status, naturalization and asylum applications are among the most common case types likely to be affected.
- Though the agency has publicly stated that any adjudication delays related to the re-vetting will be brief, it is not known how long the re-vetting initiative might delay the adjudication of affected applications.
The issue
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed publicly that on April 27, it initiated a new security vetting process that is likely to delay certain USCIS immigration benefit adjudications. The new vetting process applies to case types that require fingerprint-based background checks, such as adjustment of status, naturalization, and asylum applications. For pending cases where fingerprint-based background checks were submitted to the FBI prior to April 27, 2026, USCIS officers are now required to re-submit the applicant’s fingerprints to the new FBI system for re-vetting. USCIS officers are charged with re-submitting the fingerprints already on file; no action should be required on the part of the applicant.
USCIS officials have publicly stated to the media that "any delay in decision issuance should be brief and resolved shortly." The actual length of expected delays is not known.
This security process delay is separate from the USCIS adjudication hold in place since January for individuals born in or nationals of one of the travel ban countries.
What this means for employers and individuals
Foreign nationals with pending adjustment of status, naturalization, or other immigration benefit applications that required fingerprint collection will experience delays in the final adjudication of their applications. Employers and foreign nationals should review the current immigration status and work and travel authorization for any impacted individuals in order to minimize any gaps or disruptions that may result from their delayed immigration benefit adjudication.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
