USCIS Policy Guidance on Benefit Adjudications from Citizens of "High-Risk" Countries
On Jan. 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued on benefit applications that have been submitted by citizens of countries listed in (PP10998). This policy memo is different from the entry restrictions outlined in the proclamation, as outlined on the , and pertains to benefit applications submitted by people in the U.S. to USCIS.
Per the USCIS policy memo, USCIS is:
- Placing a hold on all pending benefit applications for nationals of countries listed in PP 10998.
- Conducting a review of policies and procedures for processing benefit requests from nationals of these countries and
- Conducting a re-review of approved benefit requests submitted on or after Jan. 20, 2021 by nationals of the countries listed in PP 10098.
USCIS notes that a hold "allows a case to proceed through processing, up to final adjudication."
What does this mean for students and scholars?
Nationals from one of the countries listed in PP10998 who have or plan to submit applications to USCIS (OPT, change of status, etc.) may still do so, however, expect processing delays while the hold is in effect. At this time, there is no mechanism for expediting processing of these applications.
Nationals from one of these countries who previously had a USCIS application approved on or after Jan. 20, 2021 may receive notification that their prior application is being re-reviewed.
Our team is here to provide support and guidance, so if you have questions or concerns about how this policy guidance may impact you, please do not hesitate to contact OIE at oie@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-5231.