USCIS Resumes Citizenship Processing for Cubans and Venezuelans

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the resumption of immigration benefit processing, including citizenship and naturalization, specifically for citizens of Cuba and Venezuela.

This announcement is detailed in a letter dated July 16, addressed to Florida Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who shared the document on her social media platforms.

Written from the Office of the USCIS Director in Camp Springs, Maryland, the letter responds to a request that Salazar had previously sent to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on March 27, 2025. This request, formally received on April 13, 2026, called for three specific actions:

• Resume citizenship application processing for Cubans and Venezuelans.
• Maintain security verification measures without halting naturalization processes.
• Restart naturalization ceremonies in Miami.

In its response, USCIS was clear: “Processing for Cubans and Venezuelans should resume accordingly.” The agency also mentioned it is taking immediate steps to lift any remaining suspensions on final adjudications.

Naturalization Ceremonies and Future Actions

Regarding naturalization ceremonies, USCIS clarified that these ceremonies have never ceased and continue nationwide, including in the Miami area. Additionally, the agency is exploring options for individuals under the Cuban Adjustment Act, though details were not specified.

Judicial Ruling and Its Impact

The resumption comes directly from a judicial ruling dated June 5, 2026, by Federal Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the Rhode Island District Court, in the case of Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS. In a comprehensive 135-page decision, Judge McConnell deemed four internal USCIS policies, which halted immigration processes for nationals from 39 countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, as illegal and arbitrary.

The Trump administration attempted to overturn this decision, but on July 16, Judge McConnell rejected their emergency request to refreeze the processes in a 28-page ruling. He concluded that the government failed to show either a likelihood of success on appeal or irreparable harm.

Consequences on the Cuban Community

The suspension had severe impacts, with monthly approvals of permanent residency for Cubans plummeting by 99.8%, from 10,984 in February 2025 to just 15 in January 2026, according to data from Factchequeado and the Cato Institute. Concurrently, detentions of Cubans by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rose by 463% between October 2024 and January 2026.

In her original correspondence to Secretary Mullin, Salazar highlighted that the suspension "has prevented tens of thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans, many of whom I know personally who are eager to engage in a new political system, from becoming U.S. citizens."

Salazar's Response

Congresswoman Salazar welcomed the USCIS response, delivering a clear message to her community: "This is great news for the many families in South Florida who have waited too long. Our community is composed of individuals who fled tyranny in search of freedom. They followed the law, earned their place in line, and deserve a fair and timely decision."

However, the legal battle is not over. The Trump administration is still pursuing an appeal in the First Circuit Court of Appeals and may seek to suspend McConnell's order. Moreover, the resumption does not imply automatic approvals; USCIS must assess each case according to immigration law requirements, and the decision does not alter the travel ban restrictions or the State Department's visa suspensions for applications processed abroad.