Why Green Card Approvals Are Being Delayed by New Vetting Rules

The Trump administration has introduced expanded security checks for immigration applications, delaying approvals for asylum, permanent residency and citizenship while cases undergo additional FBI screening.

Under new internal guidance, pending applications are being resubmitted for broader background checks, with decisions paused until the process is complete. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has widened its use of FBI criminal records, giving officers greater access to federal databases when reviewing applicants.

Officials have been instructed to repeat fingerprint checks for cases that received FBI results before 27 April, unless a denial is already expected. The policy affects a wide range of applications, including green cards, naturalisation requests and family-based petitions.

USCIS said the changes are intended to strengthen vetting procedures. Spokesperson Zach Kahler stated that the agency has expanded access to federal criminal data and expects any disruption to processing times to be temporary, with public safety remaining the priority.

The new measures follow an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February, directing the Justice Department to provide immigration authorities with the maximum lawful access to FBI records. The order was presented as a step to prevent individuals with criminal histories from entering or remaining in the country through legal immigration channels.

The policy forms part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls. Recent actions have included increased review of applicants’ social media activity, pauses in some asylum decisions and restrictions affecting nationals from countries covered by the administration’s travel ban.