The new measure under which USCIS Pauses Refugee Green Card Applications for individuals admitted between 2021 and 2025 means that thousands of people will see their Green Card requests put on hold and their cases reopened for additional review.
In other words, the government wants to re-analyze more than 200,000 asylum approvals granted during the Biden era and, while doing so, has temporarily suspended decisions on all Form I-485 applications filed by these refugees and their family members.
Below, we explain in simple terms what USCIS ordered, exactly who this pause affects, what real risks it involves, and what steps you can start taking now to protect your case and better plan your future in the United States.
What it means when USCIS Pauses Refugee Green Card Applications
This measure comes from an internal memorandum signed on November 21, 2025, by USCIS Director Joe Edlow. In practical terms, the memo orders three core actions:
- Mass case review: USCIS will re-examine the files of refugees admitted between January 20, 2021 and February 20, 2025. It is estimated that this will affect more than 200,000 people.
- Temporary halt on all refugee Green Cards: Decisions on all I-485 applications filed by refugees, their derivatives, and those who entered through follow-to-join during that period are being temporarily frozen.
- Re-evaluation of eligibility: The agency will review whether each refugee admission was “legally sufficient.” This may include mandatory re-interviews, credibility review, and analysis of potential grounds of inadmissibility.
In other words, even though these individuals already went through a rigorous process under programs such as USRAP, USCIS is going to “revisit” those decisions. While this review is underway:
- The path to lawful permanent residence is frozen, and
- Many refugees who were ready to apply for or had already applied for their Green Card will see their process stopped.
This is a high-impact measure because it goes to the core of refugee status itself and disrupts the normal pace of the adjustment of status process for thousands of families.
Who is affected by this pause on refugee Green Cards
The measure is not general and does not apply to all immigrants. It targets only a specific group of refugees and their families, namely:
- Principal refugees admitted between January 20, 2021 and February 20, 2025.
- Derivative family members who also obtained admission as refugees.
- Family reunification beneficiaries (“follow-to-join”) linked to those same cases.
Within this group, USCIS will carry out an in-depth review to determine:
- Whether the person truly met the legal definition of a refugee on the date they were admitted (INA §101(a)(42)).
- Whether there were issues in the information submitted, inconsistencies, grounds of inadmissibility, or factors that could trigger the “persecutor bar.”
- Whether any waivers granted to overcome inadmissibility were properly supported and correctly approved.
While all of this review is happening, the Green Card applications submitted by these refugees will remain in a kind of suspension — neither approved nor denied.
This directly delays the path toward permanent residence and, in the long run, also pushes back access to U.S. citizenship for those who depend on this stage of the immigration process.
What could happen to my refugee case and Green Card
If you were admitted as a refugee during this period, it is only natural to feel worried.
The new USCIS directive can affect your case in different ways, and each of them has a real impact on your life and your family’s life. Here we explain it clearly:
Your I-485 may be placed on “hold” (administrative pause)
This means that:
- USCIS can place your adjustment of status application on ice, without moving it forward or making a decision.
- You may have to wait much longer for permanent residence, even if your case was very close to being resolved.
- For many people, this uncertainty is the hardest part to deal with.
Your file could be reopened and you could face a new interview
In addition to what we have already mentioned:
- The agency can also reopen your refugee case (I-590) to review it from the beginning.
- You may be called in for a re-interview, where you will again be asked about your story and your current situation.
- Although this can be stressful, it is crucial to go in prepared and accompanied by an attorney who knows your case.
There is a risk of termination of refugee status
On top of everything else, in some cases:
- USCIS may conclude that the person should not have been admitted as a refugee and start a termination process under the law.
- The Green Card application could be denied and there could be additional steps, such as possible removal proceedings.
This is not the most common outcome, but it is a possibility that must be taken seriously.
There may be possible effects on your work permit
- Although the memo does not talk directly about the EAD, in real life these delays can complicate work permit renewals.
- Keeping your documents current is more important than ever.
How this affects your adjustment of status and future citizenship
The ultimate goal for many refugees is to get a Green Card and, later on, become a U.S. citizen. The mass review ordered by USCIS affects this plan in several ways:
- It pushes back the moment when you can say “I am now a lawful permanent resident.”
- It delays the date on which you will be able to start the process to obtain U.S. citizenship, since that depends on your time as a resident.
- In extreme cases, termination of refugee status can lead to removal proceedings, where relief such as cancellation of removal or defensive asylum may come into play.
That is why it is essential to understand that this is not just an “administrative review”; it can alter your entire immigration path.
What to do if I was admitted as a refugee between 2021 and 2025
In a period of such uncertainty, there are some simple steps that can give you a bit more control over your situation:
- Keep your information up to date with USCIS: Make sure your address and phone number are correct. Missing a notice right now can make everything much more complicated.
- Gather supporting documentation: Keep recent evidence on hand regarding your:
- Identity,
- Nationality,
- Reasons that forced you to flee, and
- How you and your family have integrated into the U.S. (work, studies, community).
- Avoid trips or sensitive decisions without legal advice: Before leaving the country or doing anything that could affect your status, get legal guidance first. A small mistake can create a big problem.
- Seek specialized legal guidance: Every case is different. An attorney can review your history, identify sensitive issues, and, if needed, explore alternatives such as another type of U.S. visa or humanitarian parole.
Frequently asked questions about the pause on refugee Green Cards
Finally, if you are a refugee and this temporary suspension is causing you concern, these frequently asked questions will give you a clearer idea of what is happening and how it could affect your case while USCIS completes its review.
Is USCIS automatically denying all refugee Green Cards?
No. Right now, cases are being placed on hold and USCIS has ordered a review of each one, including possible re-interviews. That means uncertainty and delay, but not an automatic denial.
Does the pause apply only to those who have not yet filed Form I-485?
No. It also affects those who already have a pending I-485 and even people whose cases were very close to being approved.
If I already have my Green Card as a refugee, can my case still be reviewed?
Yes. The memorandum itself states that cases of refugees who already adjusted to lawful permanent resident status can also be subject to review, although that usually requires stronger legal grounds from the government.
Should I stop renewing my work permit?
In general, no. The recommended approach is to keep your documents current, including your EAD, while this policy remains in effect.
How the immigration attorneys at Curbelo Law can help you
The pause announced by USCIS for refugee Green Cards has caused significant anxiety for families who were already moving toward a more stable life in the United States.
It is normal to feel worried when something this important is left “up in the air.” That is why, at Curbelo Law, our immigration attorneys in New Jersey review your refugee history, the current status of your I-485, and the potential risks, so you know exactly where you stand and what real options you have if USCIS tries to question your status.
If you or a family member were admitted as a refugee between 2021 and 2025, contact us. A personalized evaluation now can help you avoid unpleasant surprises when re-interview or review notices arrive.
