{"id":2247,"date":"2026-05-24T22:47:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T04:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/?p=2247"},"modified":"2026-05-24T22:47:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T04:47:08","slug":"uscis-policy-memorandum-pm-602-0199-adjustment-of-status-is-a-matter-of-discretion-and-administrative-grace-and-what-it-means-for-green-card-applicants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/?p=2247","title":{"rendered":"USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199: \u201cAdjustment of Status Is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace\u201d and What It Means for Green Card Applicants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A major policy memorandum issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services has intensified concern among immigrants applying for permanent residence through <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"Adjustment of Status (Form I-485\">Adjustment of Status (Form I-485<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The memorandum, titled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"Adjustment of Status\">Adjustment of Status<\/a> is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace, and an Extraordinary Relief that Permits Applicants to Dispense with the Ordinary Consular Visa Process\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>reaffirms USCIS\u2019s position that obtaining a green card through <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment of status\">adjustment of status<\/a> is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>not automatic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>not guaranteed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and ultimately discretionary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This policy signals increasingly strict scrutiny of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>inadmissibility issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>immigration violations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fraud and misrepresentation concerns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>unlawful presence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>criminal history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>unauthorized employment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prior visa inconsistencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For many immigrants, this memorandum may significantly affect how USCIS evaluates difficult <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"I-485\">I-485<\/a> cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 emphasizes that <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment of status\">adjustment of status<\/a> under:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>INA \u00a7245(a), 8 U.S.C. \u00a71255(a)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>is an:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cextraordinary\u201d form of relief<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cadministrative grace\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>discretionary benefit granted by DHS and USCIS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The memorandum relies heavily on longstanding immigration case law, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Matter of Blas<\/em>, 15 I&amp;N Dec. 626<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Patel v. Garland<\/em>, 596 U.S. 328 (2022)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Elkins v. Moreno<\/em>, 435 U.S. 647<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>USCIS specifically states that <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment of status\">adjustment of status<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cwas not designed to supersede the regular consular visa-issuing process or to be granted in non-meritorious cases.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Policy Matters for I-485 Applicants<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The memo makes clear that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>meeting minimum eligibility requirements may not be enough<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USCIS officers have broad discretion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> applicants carry the burden of proving they deserve favorable discretion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This means USCIS may scrutinize:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>credibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>immigration history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prior immigration violations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>discretionary factors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>overall equities in the case<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">USCIS Is Increasingly Focusing on \u201cNon-Meritorious Cases\u201d<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Under PM-602-0199, USCIS strongly emphasizes that <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> should not be granted in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>weak cases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/ina-212a6ci\/\" title=\"fraudulent\">fraudulent<\/a> cases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>discretionary negative cases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cases involving immigration abuse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The memorandum reinforces USCIS authority to deny <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> even where:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>statutory eligibility technically exists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>visa petitions are approved<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>waivers may be available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Issues USCIS Is Scrutinizing Under This Policy<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">INA \u00a7212(a)(6)(C)(i) \u2014 Fraud or Misrepresentation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>USCIS is aggressively reviewing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>inconsistent visa applications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DS-160 discrepancies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>omitted employment history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prior immigration filings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">INA \u00a7212(a)(9)(B) \u2014 Unlawful Presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior overstays and status violations now receive heightened scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unauthorized Employment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>USCIS may review:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>prior unauthorized work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>maintenance of lawful status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>employment based <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> eligibility under INA \u00a7245(c)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Criminal Grounds \u2014 INA \u00a7212(a)(2)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even older criminal matters may trigger discretionary concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">National Security and Political Membership Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Issues involving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/ina-212a3a\/\" title=\"INA \u00a7212(a)(3)(A)\">INA \u00a7212(a)(3)(A)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/ina-212a3b\/\" title=\"INA \u00a7212(a)(3)(B)\">INA \u00a7212(a)(3)(B)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/ina-212a3d\/\" title=\"INA \u00a7212(a)(3)(D)\">INA \u00a7212(a)(3)(D)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>may receive extensive review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adjustment of Status Is Not a Right<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most important themes in PM-602-0199 is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"Adjustment of status\">Adjustment of status<\/a> is not an entitlement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>USCIS repeatedly describes <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>extraordinary relief<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>discretionary grace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an exception to normal consular processing abroad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The agency emphasizes that applicants seeking <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> inside the United States are effectively asking USCIS to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>waive the ordinary immigrant visa process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>allow permanent residence without consular processing abroad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of this, USCIS states that <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> applicants must demonstrate they merit favorable discretion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does This Mean Difficult I-485 Cases Cannot Be Approved?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the memorandum increases scrutiny, <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment of status\">adjustment of status<\/a> remains discretionary which means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>strong legal advocacy matters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>discretionary factors matter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>evidence presentation matters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>legal arguments matter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many difficult <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> cases can still be successfully approved with the right legal strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adjustment of Status Is Discretionary and Strategy Matters<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>One critical point many applicants do not realize is that discretionary cases are often heavily influenced by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>how evidence is presented<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>how inconsistencies are explained<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>how favorable equities are documented<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the quality of legal arguments submitted to USCIS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Even when USCIS raises concerns involving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>inadmissibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>unlawful presence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prior immigration violations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fraud allegations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>unauthorized employment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>criminal history<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>many applicants may still qualify for <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> approval through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>strong discretionary evidence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>waiver eligibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>compelling humanitarian factors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>legal analysis addressing USCIS concerns directly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In many complex <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"I-485\">I-485<\/a> cases, success depends not only on the facts but on how the case is strategically prepared and presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do Not Face a Complex Adjustment Case Alone<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>If your <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"I-485\">I-485<\/a> case involves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>inadmissibility concerns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/ina-212a6ci\/\" title=\"fraud allegations\">fraud allegations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/notice-of-intent-to-deny\/\" title=\"NOID\">NOID<\/a>s or <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/request-for-evidence\/\" title=\"RFE\">RFE<\/a>s<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/ina-212a9b\/\" title=\"unlawful presence\">unlawful presence<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prior immigration violations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>criminal history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>unauthorized employment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Strong legal strategy and discretionary evidence are now more important than ever. It is critical to seek experienced legal guidance immediately. With the right legal approach, many difficult <a href=\"https:\/\/messersmithlaw.com\/adjustment-of-status\/\" title=\"adjustment\">adjustment<\/a> cases can still be successfully resolved. We understand what USCIS officers actually look for and how to present evidence and strong legal arguments.  We are here to fight for your rights, protect your future, and help you pursue lawful permanent residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Us for Adjustment of Status Help<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Call: 305-515-0613<br>Email: <a href=\"mailto:info@messersmithlaw.com\" title=\"\">info@messersmithlaw.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Same day consultations available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><audio autoplay=\"\"><\/audio><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A major policy memorandum issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services has intensified concern among immigrants applying for permanent residence through Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). The memorandum, titled: \u201cAdjustment of Status is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace, and an Extraordinary Relief that Permits Applicants to Dispense with the Ordinary Consular Visa Process\u201d &#8230; <a title=\"USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199: \u201cAdjustment of Status Is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace\u201d and What It Means for Green Card Applicants\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/?p=2247\" aria-label=\"Read more about USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199: \u201cAdjustment of Status Is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace\u201d and What It Means for Green Card Applicants\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72,59],"tags":[220,210],"class_list":["post-2247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adjustment-of-status","category-form-i-485","tag-adjustment-of-status","tag-form-i-485"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2247"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2252,"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247\/revisions\/2252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.messersmithlaw.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}