US Court Orders Trump Government To Resume Diversity Visa Applications

A federal judge in California has ordered the United States government, through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to resume processing pending adjustment-of-status applications linked to the Fiscal Year 2026 Diversity Visa Program.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the ruling followed a legal challenge to a USCIS policy that had placed a hold on certain Diversity Visa adjustment applications within the United States.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued the order on August 28, 2026, in the case of Medani, et al. v. Trump, et al., identified as case number 26-cv-6332.

As part of the ruling, the court temporarily suspended Policy Memorandum PM-602-0193, which had required additional scrutiny of Diversity Visa applicants seeking adjustment of status in the US. The policy was introduced by USCIS amid concerns surrounding national security and public safety.

The judge directed USCIS to take reasonable steps, where practicable and in good faith, to restart the routine adjudication of affected applications during the current Diversity Visa fiscal year without relying on the suspended memorandum.

The court also partially approved the plaintiffs’ request for class certification. The certified group covers FY-2026 Diversity Visa selectees and their derivative beneficiaries who were affected by the USCIS hold imposed under the disputed policy.

The decision could provide relief to hundreds of Diversity Visa winners and their eligible family members who are already in the United States and awaiting action on their applications.

USCIS has acknowledged the court’s directive and said it would comply with the order, although the agency made clear that it strongly disagrees with the decision. The agency indicated that it could pursue further judicial review as the legal battle continues.

The suspension of the memorandum means affected applications will, for now, be considered under the standard adjudication procedures that were in place before the policy was introduced.

However, the ruling does not permanently resolve the dispute. The court’s injunction is limited to the current Diversity Visa fiscal year, meaning the legal proceedings could still lead to further changes depending on subsequent court decisions or an appeal by the government.

Meanwhile, USCIS has also reminded conditional permanent residents holding two-year Green Cards that they face specific requirements for maintaining their lawful status. Unlike regular permanent resident cards, conditional Green Cards cannot simply be renewed when they expire, and eligible holders are required to take appropriate action within the prescribed timeframe.