Original Date Announced

USCIS issued a policy memorandum (PM-602-0193) directing USCIS personnel to:

1. Place a hold on all pending adjustment of status, ancillary benefits, and associated waiver applications for noncitizens applying for adjustment of status under the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program; and
2. Conduct a comprehensive review of all policies, procedures, and screening and vetting processes for adjustment of status, ancillary benefits, and associated waiver applications by noncitizens seeking adjustment of status under the DV Program.

The memorandum mandates that all noncitizens with pending adjustment of status, ancillary benefits, and waiver applications undergo a thorough review process to “fully assess all national, criminal, and related grounds of inadmissibility and deportation.” The guidance further specifies which cases are subject to the hold and outlines factors to consider when assessing benefit eligibility. Any requests to lift the hold due to litigation or other extraordinary circumstances must receive approval from the USCIS Director or Deputy Director.

The memorandum states that the hold was issued at the direction of DHS Secretary Noem. It cites the December 2025 shootings at Brown University and of an MIT professor, allegedly committed by a noncitizen admitted under the DV Program.

Trump 2.0 [ID #2156]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.12.23 DOS - Diversity Visa Issuance Updated Guidance

DOS announced that effective immediately, it has paused issuance of all diversity visas for national security and public safety reasons. Applicants may submit visa applications, as well as schedule and attend interviews, but no diversity visas will be issued.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.03.30 USCIS - Update on USCIS' Strengthened Screening and Vetting

USCIS issued an update on its screening and vetting efforts pursuant to the above policy memorandum, USCIS PM-602-0193, stating that it has reviewed and updated screening and vetting practices, and is continuing to develop a layered vetting plan as well as further guidance. The update makes no mention of lifting any holds on pending adjustment of status, ancillary benefits, and associated waiver applications for noncitizens applying for adjustment of status under the DV program.

However, the update additionally references USCIS PM-602-0192 and PM-602-0194 and states that USCIS established an internal process for lifting holds on individual or group cases, and has lifted holds for the following groups: noncitizens vetted through Operation PARRIS; certain petitions filed by US citizens; intercountry adoption forms; certain rescheduled oath ceremonies; statutory and regulatory decision issuance; refugee registrations for South African citizens/nationals; certain special immigrant visa petitions; certain employment authorization documents; and asylum applications from non-high-risk countries. USCIS states that it will continue to review all application types and lift holds for both individual and group cases “as appropriate.”