As confirmed by several news outlets and the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association, acting U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services Director Andrew Davidson issued an internal memorandum Feb. 14, 2025, ordering an agency-wide “administrative pause” on all “pending benefit requests” filed by applicants paroled through a parole program, including those seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants from crisis-stricken countries like Haiti, Ukraine, and Venezuela; asylum, which allows those fleeing persecution to gain a permanent safe haven in the United States; Employment Authorization Documents; and “green cards” or permanent residency processes. 

Programs impacted:

USCIS cited fraud, public safety, and national security concerns that are not being properly flagged in adjudicative systems as reasons for the administrative pause.

According to the memo, the application freeze will remain in place indefinitely while government officials work to identify potential cases of fraud and enhance vetting procedures to mitigate concerns related to national security and public safety.

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