U.S. Halts Special Immigrant Green Cards Until 2025, Sparking Outcry

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Key Takeaways

USCIS halts EB-4 special immigrant green cards issuance from January 24, 2025, to October 1, 2025, impacting multiple groups.
Affected categories include religious workers, Afghan/Iraqi translators, special immigrant juveniles, and certain international organization employees.
Applicants must maintain legal status or seek alternatives; pending applications remain on hold until the suspension ends.

On January 24, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a halt to issuing special immigrant green cards under the EB-4 visa category until October 1, 2025. This marks a noteworthy change in immigration policy, directly impacting several groups seeking permanent residency through these specialized programs. The decision has drawn attention from applicants, advocacy groups, and lawmakers alike, and raises questions about the future direction of special immigrant visa programs in the United States.

Status of Special Immigrant Programs

U.S. Halts Special Immigrant Green Cards Until 2025, Sparking Outcry

The EB-4 visa category, often used by those eligible for special immigrant green cards, has been pivotal for individuals such as religious workers and specific international employees to gain permanent residency in the U.S. However, this suspension brings a sudden pause to these pathways. Earlier extensions, such as Public Law 118-10545, had allowed certain non-minister special immigrant religious workers to apply until March 14, 2025. Despite this previous allowance, USCIS’s recent decision overrides and suspends any further approvals until the new fiscal year starting on October 1, 2025.

This pause affects multiple groups reliant on the EB-4 category and other special immigrant programs. Among those directly impacted are:

Religious Workers: Non-ministerial religious workers who were previously eligible for permanent residency under the EB-4 category must now wait until the suspension ends.
Afghan and Iraqi Translators: Individuals who worked closely with U.S. forces in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Iraq 🇮🇶—often under dangerous circumstances—are also affected.
Special Immigrant Juveniles: Children who qualify due to cases of abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents will face delays in attaining permanent residency.
Other Special Categories: This includes certain employees of international organizations and NATO civilian employees, who are also impacted as a result of the decision.

Probable Reasons for the Suspension

Although USCIS has not provided explicit reasons for pausing the issuance of these green cards, several potential factors could explain this decision. The suspension of these programs aligns with what analysts believe could be an effort to realign immigration priorities. Past policies under President Trump have reflected a focus on border security and reducing less publicly-visible immigration categories, and this trend may be continuing. Additionally, a comprehensive review of special immigrant programs could ostensibly explain the decision. Budget constraints, often cited in federal program reviews, may also have played a part in the suspension of visa issuance.

This halt demonstrates an ongoing shift in how the U.S. manages its immigration system, seeming to prioritize security and stricter immigration oversight over specific humanitarian or specialized categories.

Immediate Impacts for Applicants

The decision to halt green card issuance under this category until October 1, 2025, has serious implications for individuals actively in the system or intending to use this pathway. Specifically:

Pending Applications Held: Individuals with applications currently under review by USCIS will face delays, as no final decisions will be made until the suspension ends. Applications meeting eligibility criteria will remain on hold instead of being processed.
No Approvals Granted: The decision restricts any new approvals, leaving applicants in limbo even if their documentation is complete or prior approval is imminent.
Maintenance of Immigration Status: Those affected must maintain either their current legal non-immigrant status or find alternative ways to remain in compliance with U.S. immigration law during the suspension period.

The timing of this decision adds significant burdens to an already complex process, with many applicants facing disruption in both their personal and professional lives as a result.

Exceptions and Possible Relief

Although the suspension is broad, there remains a possibility for very limited exemptions. Green cards could be issued in cases involving national interest or pressing humanitarian circumstances. For example, if granting a green card is vital for U.S. public benefit or urgency arises due to extreme personal hardship, exceptions might apply. However, these cases are expected to be rare and will likely undergo rigorous USCIS review processes.

Ongoing Legal and Political Responses

Unsurprisingly, this decision has sparked reactions on multiple fronts. Several lawsuits have been filed to challenge the legality of the suspension, sometimes citing unfair treatment of vulnerable groups, such as children and individuals who risked their safety to work with U.S. forces in war zones. Advocacy groups are also mobilizing to shed light on the impact of the policy, particularly for those who may face undue hardship during this time.

Members of Congress have also spoken out, with some pursuing discussions about possible legislative solutions or measures to mitigate the effects of the suspension. These efforts may result in new laws or amendments aimed at either clarifying or overturning aspects of the decision.

The Broader Context of U.S. Immigration Policy

The suspension of special immigrant green cards is only one among several recent changes in U.S. immigration policies in 2025. These shifts include attempts to redefine birthright citizenship through executive orders, which are currently the subject of court challenges, thereby putting their implementation on hold. Similarly, the Refugee Admissions Program has been temporarily stopped, with reviews occurring every 90 days.

In addition to these changes, border security measures have been heightened under declarations of an “invasion” at the southern U.S. border. The administration has amplified restrictions, including limitations for asylum seekers. Concurrently, the legal framework for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program faces challenges. A January court ruling deemed the program illegal, though the effect of this ruling is currently limited to Texas 🇺🇸.

Practical Advice for Affected Parties

Individuals impacted by the suspension should take this time to evaluate possible alternative options if their original plans under the EB-4 visa category have been disrupted. Some practical actions to consider include:

Maintaining Status: It is crucial for applicants to retain valid non-immigrant status within the United States while the suspension remains in effect. This helps applicants avoid falling out of legal compliance.
Exploring Other Immigration Pathways: While affected by the suspension, applicants may want to examine other categories for which they might qualify, for instance, employment-based visas outside the EB-4 category.
Making Financial and Personal Adjustments: Applicants should prepare for the extended wait time by reassessing personal goals, budgeting, or handling other obligations affected by prolonged immigratory uncertainty.

Staying informed on updates directly from USCIS or through reliable industry sources like VisaVerge.com can also help those affected make timely and well-informed decisions.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect as of October 2025

As October 1, 2025, approaches, it’s expected that USCIS will resume processing special immigrant green card applications. However, this is dependent on no further policy changes occurring between now and fiscal year 2026. If Congress takes action this year, legislation could alleviate some burdens, though such interventions remain unpredictable.

Lawsuits and advocacy efforts are being closely watched as they could still influence the trajectory or implementation of this policy. Even if the overall suspension remains in place, these cases could create new precedents or safeguards for impacted individuals. In the meantime, the U.S. government may release additional details on whether existing or pending applications will be prioritized in 2026. Applicants should stay updated by monitoring USCIS’s official announcements on their website.

Conclusion

The temporary halt to issuing special immigrant green cards under the EB-4 visa category until October 1, 2025, illustrates how quickly immigration policies can change, affecting thousands of lives in tangible ways. Those impacted face extended wait times and significant uncertainty. The move has also fueled ongoing legal and political debates, with the intersection between immigration policy and broader administrative priorities under close scrutiny. During this pause, individuals must take proactive steps to maintain their status and stay informed of developments that could shape their future immigration prospects.

Learn Today

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) → Federal agency managing immigration applications, such as visas, green cards, and naturalization, in the United States.
EB-4 Visa Category → A U.S. immigration program for “special immigrants,” including religious workers and specific international employees, granting permanent residency.
Special Immigrant Juveniles → Minors in the U.S. eligible for green cards due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment by parents.
Fiscal Year → A government accounting period; for the U.S. federal government, it runs from October 1 to September 30.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) → A program offering temporary protection from deportation for certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

This Article in a Nutshell

USCIS’s suspension of EB-4 green cards until October 2025 disrupts immigration pathways for religious workers, translators, and vulnerable youth. This policy pause highlights shifting U.S. immigration priorities, leaving applicants in legal limbo. Amid advocacy efforts and legal challenges, affected individuals must explore alternatives and stay vigilant for updates shaping their immigration futures.
— By VisaVerge.com