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Krishnamoorthi, Subramanyam press USCIS on case delays
The letter raises concerns that expanded security vetting could leave immigration applicants facing prolonged delays.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 04, Jun 2026
- 17:52 EDT
- 57
Raja Krishnamoorthi/ Suhas Subramanyam / Wikipedia
Indian American lawmakers Raja Krishnamoorthi and Suhas Subramanyam led more than 20 House Democrats in seeking answers about reported USCIS holds on immigration benefit applications tied to enhanced security checks.
In a June 4 letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow and FBI Director Kash Patel, the lawmakers warned that the vetting policy could worsen existing immigration backlogs and delay decisions affecting immigrants' ability to work, travel and maintain lawful status in the United States.
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“It is imperative to thoroughly screen and vet all applicants seeking immigration benefits, but such vetting should not serve as the basis for an indefinite moratorium on adjudications for any class of immigrants,” the lawmakers wrote.
In their letter, the lawmakers requested details on the scope of the reported holds, including the number of cases affected, the immigration benefit categories involved, the anticipated length of delays, and whether USCIS and the FBI have sufficient resources to conduct expanded background checks without creating additional bottlenecks.
The lawmakers also questioned whether applicants whose cases have been paused are being notified of the delays and how USCIS plans to comply with statutory processing requirements. They further asked whether premium processing fees would be refunded if guaranteed adjudication timelines are missed because of the reported holds.
“Security vetting is essential, but it must be narrowly tailored, lawful, and consistent with USCIS's obligation to adjudicate cases on an individualized basis,” the lawmakers wrote.
The lawmakers requested answers from USCIS and the FBI regarding the reported policy and its potential impact on pending immigration cases.
Other signatories included Representatives Danny K. Davis, Jasmine Crockett, Delia C. Ramirez, Yvette D. Clarke, Dan Goldman, Deborah Ross, Seth Moulton, Sara Jacobs, Darren Soto, Valerie Foushee, Adam Smith, James Walkinshaw, Jesús G. “Chuy” García, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Becca Balint, Jennifer McClellan, Dina Titus, Donald Beyer, André Carson, Pramila Jayapal and Judy Chu.
The inquiry follows a series of USCIS policy changes introduced since late 2025 that expanded security reviews and, in some cases, placed adjudication holds on pending applications involving nationals of countries designated as high-risk by the administration.
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