Green Card Holders Sue USCIS Over Immigration Data Sharing
When immigrants apply for a green card or asylum, they hand over some of their most sensitive personal information. Now, a Massachusetts coalition is suing USCIS — the agency that handles those applications — over how that data is being shared. For millions of immigrants in 2026, the outcome could change what it means to apply for any immigration benefit.
What This Lawsuit Is About
The Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform filed a lawsuit against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS — the federal agency that processes green card applications, work permits, and other immigration benefits). The coalition is challenging how USCIS shares personal data collected from immigrants during the application process. This includes information submitted with green card applications, asylum applications, and other immigration forms.
The concern is serious: immigrants share sensitive personal details when they apply for benefits like a green card, a work permit (called an EAD, or Employment Authorization Document), or asylum. The lawsuit argues that USCIS may be sharing that data in ways that could put applicants at risk — including people in removal proceedings (the formal legal process where the government tries to deport someone) or those with pending immigration court hearings.
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Why This Matters for Immigrants in 2026
If you have applied for any immigration benefit — a green card, TPS (Temporary Protected Status, which protects people from countries facing crisis from being deported), DACA renewal, or asylum — your personal information is in USCIS databases. Immigration lawyers say this case could affect how safe it is to file future applications, especially for people who fear ICE arrest. The outcome may also shape how immigration agencies coordinate data during deportation defense cases and bond hearings.
What to Do
- If you are in removal proceedings or have an upcoming immigration court hearing, tell your lawyer about any applications you have filed with USCIS. They need to know what data exists about you.
- If you are thinking about filing a new application — such as a green card application, asylum application, or EAD — talk to an immigration lawyer first to understand the current risks around data sharing.
- Check the status of this lawsuit regularly. Court decisions can change quickly and may affect your rights as an applicant.
- If you believe your data was shared improperly, lawyers recommend documenting everything and contacting an immigration attorney as soon as possible.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Immigration Court Rulings”.
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Anyone currently in removal proceedings or with a pending immigration court hearing should be especially cautious — data you submitted to USCIS for one purpose, like a green card or asylum application, could potentially be accessed by enforcement agencies. You have the right to request records about yourself through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which can reveal what information USCIS holds on file. Given how fast this legal landscape is shifting in 2026, consult an immigration attorney before filing any new application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can USCIS share my green card or asylum application data with ICE?
This is exactly what the lawsuit is challenging. Currently, different immigration agencies can share data within the Department of Homeland Security. The court case may clarify or limit how that sharing works. Talk to a lawyer if you are concerned about your specific situation.
Does this lawsuit affect my asylum application process?
It could. The lawsuit involves data collected during the asylum application process. While the case is ongoing, your application still moves forward normally. However, lawyers recommend staying informed about the outcome, as it may affect future applicants.
Is the asylum application fee still free in 2026?
Yes. Filing Form I-589 (the application for asylum in the US) costs $0. There is no fee to apply for asylum.
What should I do if I am afraid that filing an immigration application will lead to an ICE arrest?
This is a real concern for many people. Lawyers recommend speaking with an immigration attorney before filing anything. An attorney can help you understand your ICE arrest rights, evaluate your deportation defense options, and decide whether filing is safe in your specific situation.