Green Card Holders Sue USCIS Over Removal Proceedings
Some immigrants who applied for green cards or other benefits say they ended up in immigration court instead of getting an answer on their case. A Massachusetts coalition is now suing USCIS to stop this from happening. The outcome could change how the agency handles applications for thousands of people across the country.
What This Lawsuit Is About
A coalition of immigration advocates in Massachusetts filed a lawsuit against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — the federal agency that processes green cards, work permits, and other immigration benefits. The case, Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform v. USCIS, challenges how the agency handles certain applications in ways that can push immigrants into removal proceedings (the formal legal process where a judge decides if someone must leave the country).
The lawsuit argues that USCIS is using its application review process in a way that harms immigrants who have done everything right — people who filed their paperwork, paid their fees, and waited. Instead of getting a decision on their case, some applicants say they ended up in immigration court facing deportation. That is a serious outcome with life-changing consequences, especially for green card applicants and asylum seekers who have built their lives in the US.
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Why This Matters for Immigrants in 2026
This case is important because it could affect how USCIS processes applications across the country — not just in Massachusetts. If the court rules in favor of the coalition, it may force USCIS to change how it refers cases to immigration judges. For anyone currently in the green card application process, in removal proceedings, or waiting on a USCIS decision, this lawsuit is worth following closely. Immigration lawyers recommend checking your case status regularly and keeping copies of every document you have submitted.
What to Do
- Check your USCIS case status at uscis.gov using your receipt number. If your case has been transferred or you received a Notice to Appear (NTA) — the official document that starts removal proceedings — contact an immigration lawyer right away.
- Do not miss any immigration court dates. If you receive a hearing notice, you must appear. Missing a hearing can result in an automatic removal order against you.
- Gather your documents. Keep copies of all applications, receipts, and any letters from USCIS or the immigration court. These will be critical if you need to defend yourself.
- Consult an immigration lawyer if you are unsure about your status or have received any unexpected notices. Many nonprofit legal organizations offer free or low-cost consultations.
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If you receive a Notice to Appear while your USCIS application is still pending, you have the right to appear before an immigration judge and present your case — that right does not disappear because of a procedural error by the agency. Ask your attorney about filing a motion to terminate removal proceedings if USCIS issued the NTA improperly or prematurely. Given the stakes involved, this is not a situation to navigate without qualified legal help.