The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has implemented significant policy changes that create substantial uncertainty for immigrants from designated countries, according to an analysis by immigration law firm Bolour/Carl Immigration Group. The changes stem from Presidential Proclamation 10949, which directs USCIS to apply country-specific factors when reviewing immigration benefit requests from certain high-risk nations.
Under the new policy, USCIS has placed holds on many pending applications, including asylum applications (I-589 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal) and other benefit requests from nationals of the 19 countries identified in PP 10949. The agency is also directing re-review of previously approved benefit requests for individuals from those countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.
The practical implications are substantial for affected individuals. Pending I-589 asylum applications may be effectively frozen with no interview scheduled and no adjudication timeline, potentially creating indefinite delays even for applications filed years ago. For adjustment, change-of-status, or other benefit requests, pending cases face delays while previously approved cases may be reopened or re-evaluated.
What distinguishes this policy from previous practice is the discretionary treatment now applied to applications from listed countries. Under prior policy, once a benefit request was approved or an I-589 was filed, it would typically proceed subject only to standard processing delays. Now, country of origin becomes a significant negative factor by default for asylum or status-based benefit requests.
The impact extends beyond new applicants to include individuals whose benefits were previously approved. Those with granted asylum, approved status changes, or pending green cards may now face re-review or possible referral to law enforcement depending on their entry date. This creates particular uncertainty for individuals who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.
For asylum seekers, even properly filed I-589 applications may now be held while USCIS conducts additional security and vetting procedures. The net effect creates uncertainty, long delays, heightened risk, and potential case re-openings for many people who submitted applications in good faith or had them previously approved.
The policy changes represent a significant shift in how immigration benefits are adjudicated for nationals of designated countries. By making country of origin a default negative factor and authorizing re-review of previously approved cases, the policy introduces new layers of scrutiny that could affect thousands of individuals currently in the immigration system.
As immigration attorneys note, these changes create practical challenges for affected individuals who may face indefinite waiting periods, additional interviews, background checks, and the possibility of enforcement referrals despite having followed proper application procedures. The policy's implementation raises questions about consistency in immigration adjudication and the treatment of applicants based on nationality rather than individual circumstances.
