Cuban green card applicants face sharp approval decline as US immigration rules come under scrutiny

The approval rate for Cuban applicants seeking permanent residency in the United States dropped significantly from 52.6% to 23.7% between April and June 2026, according to government data. This marked a sharp decline in the number of cases approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In the previous quarter, USCIS had approved 50 of the 95 Cuban applications it reviewed, while denying 45.

However, in the most recent quarter, the agency only approved 139 of the 586 applications it decided, while rejecting 447.

The decline in approvals has come as the administration led by the Trump government has been scrutinizing legal immigration applications and expanding the discretion granted to immigration officers. However, the data does not conclusively indicate that the administration's policy changes were solely responsible for the drop in approval rates.

Cuban nationals can apply for permanent residency through the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, provided they meet specific criteria, such as having resided in the US for at least one year and being physically present in the country.

In May 2026, USCIS issued a policy memorandum on adjustment of status and discretion, describing the process as a matter of discretion and "administrative grace." According to the agency, most applicants should return to their home countries to pursue consular processing, with limited exceptions. The administration claims its approach aims to strengthen immigration enforcement and restore the original intent of immigration law.