The approval rate for Cuban nationals seeking permanent residency in the United States fell sharply to 23.7% between April and June 2026, down from 52.6% in the previous quarter, according to data released by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The agency approved 139 of the 586 Cuban adjustment-of-status applications it decided during the April–June period, while rejecting 447 cases. In comparison, USCIS approved 50 and denied 45 of the 95 cases decided between January and March.
The decline comes as the Trump administration increases scrutiny of legal immigration applications and expands the discretion available to immigration officers. However, the figures alone do not establish that recent policy changes directly caused the fall in approvals.
Cuban Applicants Face Increased Scrutiny
Cuban nationals have a specific pathway to permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966. Eligible Cuban citizens who have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the US and have been physically present in the country for at least one year may apply for a green card.
The adjustment-of-status process allows eligible individuals already living in the United States to apply for permanent residency without completing the regular immigrant visa process abroad. However, applicants must meet the applicable legal requirements, and approval is not automatic.
On May 21, USCIS issued a policy memorandum reaffirming that adjustment of status is a matter of discretion and administrative relief rather than an automatic entitlement. The guidance states that applicants should generally follow the regular consular processing route when available, except in circumstances that warrant an exception.
The administration has maintained that its approach aims to strengthen immigration enforcement and ensure that immigration laws are applied as intended.
Applications Decided Rise Sharply
The number of Cuban adjustment-of-status cases decided by USCIS increased substantially in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. The agency decided 586 cases between April and June, compared with just 95 during the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, the number of new applications received declined from 15,312 in January–March to 6,279 in April–June.
The drop-in Cuban approval rates was steeper than the changes recorded in other major green card categories. Family-based approval rates declined from 86% to 81.7%, while employment-based approvals fell from 93.9% to 93%.
In contrast, asylum-based approval rates increased from 88.1% to 88.9%, while refugee-based approval rates rose from 66.1% to 69.6%.
The approval rate represents the share of decided cases that were approved rather than denied. It does not indicate the proportion of all Cuban applicants who will eventually obtain permanent residency.
Legal Challenges Target Immigration Policies
The administration’s approach to adjustment of status is facing a legal challenge. A lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts on October 5 challenges the May policy memorandum and separate August guidance allowing officers to deny certain applications that lack required initial evidence without first issuing a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny.
The April–June figures predate the August guidance and therefore cannot establish its impact on application outcomes.
The next USCIS quarterly report, covering July–September 2026, is expected to provide further information on approval and denial patterns as the administration continues implementing its immigration policies.
