“`html
Immigration delays are hitting crisis levels right now. The Department of Homeland Security’s 76-day shutdown created a massive backlog. Now enhanced security measures are making things even worse. Got a green card application pending? Waiting on naturalization or asylum? Your case just got more complicated.
Enhanced Security Screening Creates Widespread Delays
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. USCIS quietly but consequentially rolled out a new enhanced security vetting system on April 27, 2026, connecting to the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system — the agency’s most advanced biometric and criminal-history database. This isn’t just another policy tweak — it’s affecting thousands of cases nationwide.
Pending adjustment of status, naturalization and asylum applications are among the most common case types likely to be affected. The most affected applications include Adjustment of Status (Green Card) applications (Form I-485), Naturalization applications (Form N-400), and Asylum applications (Form I-589). 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. While these measures aim to protect national security, they are expected to add weeks or months to the processing time for affected applications. Here’s what that means: if your fingerprints were already submitted before April 27, they’re doing it all over again.
“`
Executive Order 14385, signed on February 6, 2026, expands data-sharing between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The increased vetting follows from Executive Order 14161, Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorist and Other National Security and Public Safety Threat. These orders have fundamentally reshaped immigration processing priorities.
How the 76-Day DHS Shutdown Compounds Immigration Delays
For 76 days, I saw this selfless dedication firsthand and was inspired by the strength each of you showed during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The House on Thursday approved a Senate-passed bill that would fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, ending the record 75-day shutdown of the sprawling federal agency. While the shutdown officially ended on April 30, 2026, its effects continue to ripple through the immigration system.
The agency counts some 260,000 employees, across TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA and other operations. More than 1,000 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began, according to Airlines for America, the U.S. airlines trade group that on Wednesday called on Congress to fully fund the Cabinet department. This massive workforce disruption has created a significant backlog that will take months to clear.
Democrats forced a DHS shutdown Feb. 14, after Republicans rejected their demands to make reforms to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, including mandating body cameras and limiting raids in sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals. In the aftermath of the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens, by federal agents during protests against the immigration actions in Minneapolis, Democrats refused to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol without changes to those operations. These political battles continue to influence processing priorities.
How This Affects Green Card, Naturalization, and Asylum Applicants
The combination of enhanced screening and shutdown recovery is creating specific challenges for different types of applicants:
Green Card Applicants: Employees with pending adjustment of status may see their green card approvals delayed. Employers should review the status of key personnel and prepare contingency plans in case final adjudication takes longer than expected. USCIS has indicated it has shortened the validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to ensure more frequent security checks. Individuals with pending I-485s who do not have a valid Advance Parole document (or an exemption from the requirement) should exercise extreme caution in planning international travel.
Naturalization Candidates: Pending naturalization cases may face short delays before the oath ceremony can be scheduled. Applicants for U.S. citizenship will also be subject to heightened scrutiny and potential adjudication delays tied to enhanced vetting with possible exceptions for individuals with scheduled oath ceremonies.
Asylum Seekers: Asylum applicants could experience slower decision-making. Some exemptions exist for certain petitions filed by U.S. citizens, intercountry adoption forms, certain rescheduled oath ceremonies, statutory and regulatory decision issuance, certain special immigrant visa petitions, certain employment authorization documents, and asylum applications from non-high-risk countries, and applications associated with medical physicians.
What You Should Do Now
Given the uncertainty surrounding these delays, immediate action is crucial:
Monitor Your Case Status: USCIS officers are charged with re-submitting the fingerprints already on file; no action should be required on the part of the applicant. Applicants do not need to submit new fingerprints or contact USCIS about this issue. However, check your case status regularly on the USCIS website for any updates or requests for evidence.
Review Work Authorization: Work authorization (EAD) and advance parole that are still valid remain unaffected for now. Track work authorization expiration dates & plan workforce continuity: Employers should proactively monitor work authorization expiration dates and consider contingency planning where delays could impact employees’ ability to work or travel.
Prepare for Extended Timelines: USCIS officials have publicly stated to the media that “any delay in decision issuance should be brief and resolved shortly.” For now, applicants should be prepared for longer‑than‑expected processing times, even for cases that were previously nearing completion.
Seek Professional Guidance: Stay informed through official USCIS newsroom alerts at uscis.gov, and consider consulting a licensed immigration attorney if you have any concerns about how this change affects your specific case. Employers and families with time‑sensitive immigration needs should factor in the possibility of additional delays and consider connecting with their legal counsel
Given the complexity of these changes, it’s essential to work with experienced immigration services that can navigate both the enhanced security requirements and shutdown recovery challenges.
Why Choose Tez Law P.C.
During this period of unprecedented uncertainty in immigration processing, Tez Law P.C. stands ready to protect your interests and navigate these complex challenges. With Managing Attorney JJ Zhang (California Bar #326666) leading our team, we provide comprehensive immigration services across the entire United States.
Our firm understands that immigration delays don’t just affect paperwork – they impact families, careers, and futures. We stay current with the latest policy changes, from enhanced security screening protocols to shutdown recovery procedures, ensuring our clients receive informed, strategic guidance.
Beyond immigration law, our full-service approach means we can also assist with related legal needs, including personal injury attorney services if you’ve been affected by the civil unrest that contributed to the shutdown crisis.
We believe every client deserves transparent communication, proactive case management, and aggressive advocacy for their rights. When federal agencies are overwhelmed and processing times are uncertain, having experienced legal counsel becomes even more critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the enhanced security screening affect my interview date?
While USCIS has stated delays should be brief, cases requiring fingerprint re-submission may experience postponed interviews or delayed decisions even after successful interviews. Monitor your case status and prepare for potential rescheduling.
Can I travel internationally while my case is under enhanced review?
Exercise extreme caution with international travel during this period. Enhanced vetting may delay issuance of advance parole documents, and re-entering the U.S. could be complicated if your case is pending enhanced security clearance.
How long will these delays last?
USCIS has not provided specific timelines for the enhanced vetting process. Given the scope of cases requiring re-review and the ongoing recovery from the 76-day shutdown, applicants should prepare for delays extending several months beyond normal processing times.
The intersection of enhanced security screening and shutdown recovery represents one of the most challenging periods in recent immigration history. While these measures aim to strengthen national security, they create significant uncertainty for applicants and their families. Don’t navigate these complex waters alone – contact our experienced team for a free consultation to discuss how these changes may affect your specific case and develop a strategy to protect your immigration goals. At Tez Law P.C., we’re committed to helping you achieve your American dream, even in the face of unprecedented bureaucratic challenges.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Tez Law P.C. at 626-678-8677 or [email protected] for advice specific to your situation. Results may vary.