USCIS Policy Memorandum 602-0199
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memorandum, PM-602-199, reminding officers to consider adjustment of status as “an extraordinary discretionary relief to the regular immigrant visa process” and “an act of administrative grace.” While much is still unknown about how this Memorandum will be implemented, immigrants should immediately begin to consider the significant impact on the immigration benefits they seek.
Key Impact: Changes to Good Moral Character Requirements
The May 21st memo fundamentally changes the good moral character standards associated with adjustment of status applications in the United States. This represents a notable departure from previous policy interpretations and will likely affect how cases are evaluated going forward.
Additional Resources
For those seeking more detailed information about these policy changes, I conducted a comprehensive webinar analyzing this new adjustment of status policy. Please contact our office for a full copy of the webinar and analysis.