USCIS Pauses Benefits Applications for Certain Countries
Wednesday, February, 4th, 2026 Immigration News and Updates
On January 1, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memorandum regarding enhanced vetting and comprehensive re-review of benefits applications (including OPT petitions) filed by or on behalf of foreign nationals from 39 countries that have been classified as “high risk,” and those with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The benefits pause and re-review apply not only to foreign nationals who are citizens of the designated countries, but also to those who were born in these countries but hold citizenship elsewhere.
Impacted Countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Proclamation also applies to individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
Impacted Benefits: An immigration benefit is a decision granted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Benefits include applications for employment authorization (like EADs for F-1 OPT or J-2 dependents) and employment-based petitions (I-129), changes of immigration status, green card applications, and more.
Guidance for Impacted Students & Scholars: Students and scholars from impacted countries should anticipate delays and government Requests for Evidence (RFEs) in the processing of USCIS applications, including OPT/STEM OPT applications. The I-Center recommends that international students and scholars file USCIS applications as soon as is permitted by the benefit category. Impacted students and scholars may wish to speak to their I-Center Advisor or qualified legal counsel about options and contingency plans. Tufts-sponsored students and scholars should also report any received RFEs or USCIS communications regarding pending or approved benefits to the International Center.