If your USCIS case has been frozen because your home country is on the 39-country travel ban list, here is how to get it moving again after the June 5 court ruling. A federal judge in Rhode Island vacated the four USCIS policies that had been freezing immigration cases for nationals of those countries. Vacated, not paused. Gone.
That means your frozen USCIS case can move again, and the default is that USCIS picks it back up on its own. But “on its own” and “fast” are not the same thing. Hundreds of thousands of frozen cases are unfreezing at the same moment, and nobody is forcing USCIS to reach yours first. So here is exactly what to do now, in order.
What the June 5 ruling actually did
In the case known as Dorcas v. USCIS, the court ruled that four USCIS policies were unlawful and set them aside nationwide. These were the policies that had paused green cards, work permits, asylum decisions, and naturalization for people from the 39 listed countries.
This matters more than the earlier court wins this year. Most of those were preliminary injunctions that only protected the people who sued. This ruling vacated the policies themselves, so the relief extends to everyone whose cases were caught in the freeze, not just the plaintiffs.
Step 1: Confirm the ruling applies to your case
This ruling helps a specific group: nationals of one of the 39 countries already in the US with a USCIS benefits case that was frozen. Green card, work permit, EAD, asylum, naturalization, OPT, H-1B, and EB-2 NIW cases are all in scope.
Keep one thing clear so you read every headline correctly. The June 5 ruling lifted the freeze on cases inside USCIS. It did not end the travel ban that controls entry into the country. If you are already here with a pending case, this is your win. If you are abroad, hoping to fly in, the entry rules have not changed, so do not book travel on this news.
If you are in the affected group, keep going.
Step 2: Pull your USCIS case status
Before anything else, know exactly where your case stands. Log in to your USCIS online account and check the current status and the date of the last action. If you filed on paper and have no online account, create one and link your receipt number.
Write down three things: your receipt number, your A-number, and the date of the last action on your case. You will need all three for every step below.
Step 3: Check the processing time for your form
Go to the USCIS processing times page, look up your exact form and the office or service center handling it, and compare that to how long your case has actually been pending.
This step decides your next move. If your case is past the posted processing time, you have a valid basis to request action. If it is still inside the normal window, USCIS will tell you to wait, and pushing early just wastes the effort.
Step 4: File an eRequest if your case qualifies
If your case is past normal processing time, use the free eRequest tool on uscis.gov and choose “Case Outside Normal Processing Time.” Enter your details, your A-number, and your receipt number.
In the box that asks about the last action on your case, be specific and factual. State the form, the date you filed, the last update, and that the case appears to have been held under policies that were vacated on June 5. Short and clear beats long and emotional.
This is an inquiry, not a magic expedite button. It pokes your file and asks for a status, which is exactly what you want right now.
Step 5: If something expired, fix that first
If your work permit lapsed, your OPT window is closing, or a naturalization ceremony was canceled and never rescheduled, make that your priority. A frozen case that cost you a job offer or work authorization is concrete harm, and concrete harm gets attention faster than a general “where is my case?” Document the impact clearly when you follow up.
Step 6: Get a real review for your specific case
The right next step depends entirely on your form, your office, and your timeline, and there is no single answer that fits everyone. This is where a qualified immigration attorney earns their fee. They can tell you whether an eRequest, an expedite request, or a direct follow-up referencing the ruling is the strongest play for you.
I am an immigration consultant, not an attorney, and none of this is legal advice. If your case was caught in one of these holds, get a proper review before you act so you can move with confidence rather than guesswork.
One reason to move now, not later
For full transparency: the government is expected to appeal, and could ask to put the ruling on hold while they fight it. That is normal for a case this big.
I am not saying that to worry you. I am saying it because it is the reason to act today. The freeze is lifted right now, which makes this the smart window to get your file seen and your paperwork ready while the door is open.
The short version
Confirm the ruling applies to you. Pull your USCIS case status. Check your processing time. File an eRequest if you are past it. Fix anything that expired first. Get a real review for your specific case.
You waited long enough for the system to move. Now go make sure it sees you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the travel ban over after the June 5 USCIS ruling?
No. The ruling vacated the USCIS policies that froze case processing for people from the 39 countries. The travel ban that restricts entry into the US is separate and remains in effect.
What does it mean that the USCIS policies were “vacated”?
Vacated means the policies are legally set aside, as if they were never valid. Unlike a pause, it removes the policies themselves, and the relief applies nationwide rather than only to the people who sued.
Does the ruling help me if I am outside the United States?
This ruling is about cases pending inside USCIS, which generally means people already in the US. It does not change your ability to enter the country, so do not make travel plans based on it.
Which USCIS cases are affected?
Cases for nationals of the 39 listed countries that were frozen by the four vacated policies, including green cards, work permits, EADs, asylum, naturalization, OPT, H-1B, and any other immigration benefit granted by the USCIS.
How do I check if my USCIS case is still frozen?
Log in to your USCIS online account and review the current status and last action date, then compare your pending time to the posted processing time for your form and office.
Should I file an eRequest right now?
Only if your case is past the normal processing time for your form. If it is still within the normal window, the system will tell you to wait. If it is past, the “Case Outside Normal Processing Time” eRequest is a free way to flag your file.
Can the ruling be reversed on appeal?
The government is expected to appeal and may ask to put the ruling on hold while it does. That is why acting now, while the freeze is lifted, is the smart move.
Do I need a lawyer to act on this?
The best next step depends on your form, office, and timeline. A qualified immigration attorney can confirm whether an eRequest, an expedite request, or a direct follow-up is strongest for your situation.
This post is for general information and reflects the ruling as of the date it was written. This is not legal advice, and an appeal could change how things apply. For your specific case, talk to a qualified immigration attorney.
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