Overview of the new pause
Nationals of many “travel ban” countries are now facing a temporary pause on final immigration decisions in the wake of new national-security restrictions rolled out at the end of 2025 and effective January 1, 2026. According to recent practice alerts from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has instructed consulates to halt issuance of many immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for nationals of dozens of countries subject to the expanded travel ban.
For our clients and community at The Law Office of Mariana Toledo-Hermina, this pause does not mean that cases are cancelled, but it can mean that cases move forward without a final approval or denial until the pause is lifted.
Who may be affected
Current government and practice-alert guidance indicates that:
- DOS has paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of approximately 75 countries, primarily non-European nations that were already subject to or newly added to the travel-ban proclamations.
- These restrictions mainly impact people who are outside the United States and seeking visas, including family-based immigrants and many nonimmigrant categories, with exceptions such as certain athletes and limited national-interest cases.
- USCIS has not yet issued a matching blanket pause on adjustment-of-status decisions inside the U.S. for all affected nationals, though AILA continues to monitor whether a similar hold will be applied more broadly.
Because each country and case type can be treated differently, anyone with a pending or planned case connected to a travel-ban country should get individualized legal advice before traveling or filing.
How pending cases are being treated
Current reports and practice alerts suggest the following patterns:
- Consulates may continue to accept DS-260/DS-160 forms, schedule interviews, and conduct background checks, but they will hold off on issuing the final visa for many applicants from listed countries.
- Some consular posts may place affected cases in “administrative processing” or issue written notices explaining that a decision cannot be made at this time due to high-level policy.
- For applicants inside the U.S., AILA’s reading of the most recent USCIS policy memo is that routine adjudications have not been universally paused for all benefits, though certain national-security-related holds or extra vetting may apply to specific nationalities or case types.
This means that two family members from the same country—one consular processing abroad and one adjusting status inside the U.S.—might see very different timelines.
Practical steps for affected individuals
For individuals from travel-ban countries, or those petitioning for loved ones from those countries, some practical steps include:
- Before travel: Consult with qualified immigration counsel before leaving the U.S. if you will need a new visa to return; a departure could leave you stuck abroad if visa issuance is paused.
- For consular cases: Expect delays and possible indefinite “holds” even after you submit all documents and complete your interview; continue to monitor official DOS and consulate announcements for your specific post.
- For USCIS cases inside the U.S.: Continue responding to Requests for Evidence and attending biometrics or interviews; unless official guidance changes, those steps remain critical to keeping your case active.
How Law Firm of Mariana Toledo-Hermina can help
The Law Firm of Mariana Toledo-Hermina closely tracks these rapid policy shifts through AILA practice alerts, DOS notices, and official presidential proclamations, including the December 16, 2025, travel-ban expansion and subsequent DOS pause announcements. Our office can:
- Evaluate whether you or your family member is directly covered by the current travel-ban-related pause.
- Help you decide when and where to file (consular vs. adjustment) considering evolving restrictions and processing trends.
- Develop strategies to minimize risk, such as timing travel, preserving work authorization, and documenting hardship caused by delays.
If you believe you or a loved one may be affected by these new pauses on immigration decisions, contact The Law Firm of Mariana Toledo-Hermina to schedule a consultation and review your options under the latest rules.