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After days of uncertainty following leaked reports, the Department of State has issued official guidance clarifying the scope of the new U.S. visa pause. This update breaks down what the policy affects, what it does not, and why the distinction matters.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve seen many clients and colleagues grapple with the practical impact of the USCIS policy memo that took effect on January 1, 2026 , directing adjudicative holds on certain immigration benefit applications . These developments have created real uncertainty on the ground, especially for clients from countries designated as “high-risk” under the relevant Presidential Proclamations. What the Policy Actually Does USCIS’s Policy Memorandum PM-602-01