USCIS Pauses Benefits & Changes Work Permit Rules
On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued a memorandum temporarily pausing all immigration benefit decisions, including naturalization ceremonies, for individuals from 19 “travel ban” countries:
Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
1. Immediate Pause on Benefits for 19 Countries
On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum that immediately stops processing most immigration benefits for individuals who were born in or are citizens of 19 designated “travel ban” or “high-risk” countries. This pause is in effect indefinitely, until USCIS or the courts announce an end. Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration+1
Affected countries include: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen. USCIS
Who it applies to:
Nationals or people born in these countries, including dual nationals, will have benefit applications put on hold. USCIS
USCIS will also re-review already approved benefits for those who entered the U.S. on or after Jan. 20, 2021, and may conduct interviews or re-interviews as part of this review. USCIS
Types of applications paused may include:
Adjustment of Status (green card)
Naturalization
Travel Documents / Advance Parole
Removal of Conditions
Green Card Renewals …and other benefit requests. Fredrikson & Byron
Importantly, the memo does not set a defined end date for these pauses, meaning delays could be long and unpredictable.
2. Nationwide Stop on Asylum Decisions
In addition to pausing benefit adjudications for the 19 countries listed above, USCIS has halted all final decisions on asylum applications for everyone, not just those from those countries.
This means USCIS cannot issue approvals, denials, or case closures, effectively stopping asylum adjudications even though interviews and background checks may continue.
With over a million asylum claims already pending, this action will significantly extend existing backlogs.
3. New Vetting Center and Enhanced Reviews
USCIS also announced the creation of a centralized USCIS Vetting Center in Atlanta, Georgia, tasked with “enhanced vetting” and more extensive security screening. This center will play a key role in reviewing benefit requests, particularly those from countries affected by the travel ban/high-risk.
Though USCIS must guide these policies within 90 days, the agency has not yet clarified how and when normal processing will resume.
4. Shortened Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
On Dec. 4, 2025, USCIS also updated its policy manual to shorten the validity period for many Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
Effective for new/pending filings on or after Dec. 5, 2025:
EADs in key categories (e.g., refugees, asylees, pending status adjustment, withholding of removal) will have a maximum validity of 18 months instead of five years.
Other categories (parolees, TPS holders, entrepreneur parole spouses):
EADs will be issued in one-year increments or expire with the parole/TPS period, whichever is sooner.
To avoid gaps in work authorization, applicants should file renewals early.
What You Should Do Next
Speak with an immigration attorney before filing new applications if you could be affected by the pause.
Plan for delays — pauses may last months or longer.
Submit EAD renewals early to avoid gaps in employment authorization.
Stay updated on USCIS guidance as it develops.
If you have questions about how this affects your case, or if you’re worried about what this proposal might mean for you in the future, we’re here to help.
Call us: 414-533-5000
West Allis & Lake Geneva
soberalskilaw.com