Weekly Immigration News Roundup: May 6
This week, Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar offers her insights on the latest headlines.
USCIS lifted processing holds for doctors, oath ceremonies and other cases
An updated USCIS policy alert confirms holds were lifted for doctors, oath ceremonies, and other cases that experienced pauses in adjudication.
Urizar: “This could signal that USCIS is lifting the ban or willing to admit professionals in fields of national interest and shortage, such as specialized physicians. In the meantime, I recommend those affected to continue monitoring their cases and the news for policy updates.”
A federal court ordered USCIS to resume Green Card processing for 83 immigrants
A Maryland judge found that the plaintiffs were likely to show USCIS acted arbitrarily and capriciously under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
Urizar: “This ruling only covers 83 people, but the judge’s reasoning — that the federal agency did not have the right to stop adjudicating adjustment of status applications entirely — could matter for a lot of other cases, too. If your case has been stuck, keep an eye on how this legal challenge develops.”
Several Congressmen proposed a three-year pause on H-1B visas
The End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 would freeze H-1B issuance, slash the annual cap to 25,000, and eliminate OPT. Neither chamber of Congress has voted on it.
Urizar: “Since this bill is not currently in effect, you should not change your H-1B filing strategy. Instead, continue to monitor its progress closely as you work towards your work visa.”
The State Department expanded its Western Hemisphere visa restriction policy
The updated policy targets individuals believed to be acting on behalf of adversarial countries in the region. The government has already restricted 26 people but has not named them.
Urizar: “The lack of published criteria could create uncertainty. If you are concerned about your case, consult an attorney before applying or traveling.”
Some USCIS cases saw delays under a new biometrics vetting process
According to AILA, USCIS began requiring some applicants to re-submit fingerprints starting April 27 as part of expanded FBI criminal-history checks. Adjustment of status, naturalization, and asylum cases appear most affected.
Urizar: “These biometrics delays, which primarily affect adjustment of status applications, are unlikely to impact underlying I-140 or I-130 petitions, as they rarely require fingerprinting. They also don’t mean cases will be denied, just that USCIS needs time to implement a new internal procedure.”
A federal judge partially blocked USCIS processing freezes for 22 foreign nationals
A Massachusetts court found that USCIS’s adjudicative hold and significant negative factor policies are likely unlawful, granting immediate relief to 22 plaintiffs. The ruling does not restart every frozen case nationwide.
Urizar: “Even if this decision also feels narrow in its effects, its rationale opens another pathway for others to legally challenge recent USCIS processing freezes.”
USCIS closed the second H-2B filing window for returning workers
USCIS announced it received enough petitions to reach the second supplemental FY 2026 H-2B cap allocation. Employers must now wait until May 1 to file, when the returning worker requirement no longer applies.
Urizar: “If you missed the cap, you can still file starting May 1, but now you’ll be competing with employers filing for brand-new H-2B workers too. Since this only covers so many visas, my suggestion is to file as early as possible.”
International student enrollment dropped for the first time since the pandemic rebound
Manifest’s analysis found that total F and M visa enrollment fell to 1,279,758 in March 2026, down from a record 1,325,800 in 2025. Washington and Hawaii saw the steepest state-level declines, at 15.8% and 10.5% respectively.
Urizar: “If you’re thinking of studying in the U.S., now is the time to start preparing your finances and documents. Students who start late often run into hiccups in the application process, so being proactive can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary stress.”
Five countries drove the majority of EB-2 NIW approvals in FY 2025
China, India, Iran, Nigeria, and Bangladesh together accounted for the largest share of the 19,532 NIW petitions approved last fiscal year. Each country reached those numbers through a distinct pipeline of graduate talent and national circumstances.
Urizar: “The EB-2 NIW is one of the most flexible Green Card paths because it rewards measurable impact and merit over traditional employer sponsorship.”
