U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a memorandum in May 2026 [2] updating procedures for the adjustment of status process.

These changes affect how thousands of foreign nationals apply for permanent residency and work permits. While the agency describes the updates as efficiency measures, some legal experts warn they may create new barriers for specific populations.

Armando Olmedo, vice president and general counsel of immigration for TelevisaUnivisión, said the memorandum does not eliminate the adjustment of status process. According to Olmedo, the document only updates procedures and review timelines.

USCIS officials echoed this sentiment in a statement. A spokesperson for the agency said the new guidelines are intended to improve processing efficiency, not to suspend the adjustment of status program.

However, some reports suggest the impact may be more restrictive. An immigration lawyer cited by MSN Colombia said the new rule could block the adjustment of status for citizens of 74 countries [1], including Colombia.

According to the agency, the updates were designed to address existing processing delays, improve security protocols, and modernize eligibility criteria. The agency has not detailed why specific countries would be more affected than others under these updated guidelines.

Applicants are encouraged to review the May 2026 [2] memorandum to determine how the new procedural requirements apply to their specific cases, as the agency shifts toward these updated review standards.

“The memorandum does not eliminate the adjustment of status, only updates the procedures and the review times.”

The discrepancy between USCIS's description of 'procedural updates' and reports of restrictions for 74 countries suggests a shift in how the agency evaluates risk or eligibility based on nationality. While the program remains active, the introduction of additional reviews may increase the likelihood of denials or delays for applicants from specific regions, effectively narrowing the path to legal residency despite the program's official continuation.