Since a federal court struck down the 75-country immigrant visa pause on 21 August 2026, only a small share of the affected cases has been decided, according to a 26 October 2026 post by the Law Offices of Jacob J. Sapochnick, a San Diego immigration firm. Citing a State Department filing of 5 October 2026, the firm says 706 affected applications were adjudicated between 21 August and 30 September: 318 approved or issued, and 388 refused on other grounds. This account comes from a law firm’s blog rather than a court document.
Contents
- What the court decided
- What the filing numbers show
- What applicants can do
- A worked example
- What happens next
- Questions on the pause
What the court decided
The post names the case as CLINIC v. Rubio and says the court found the suspension unlawful and ordered reconsideration of applications refused solely because of it. It says more than 43,000 applications had been refused solely under the pause, and that the ruling set no deadline for processing each case. The post does not name the specific court.
What the filing numbers show
The 706 adjudicated cases include applications refused for reasons other than the pause, so the post says it is unclear how many of the 43,000 have actually been reviewed. It adds that as of 2 October, one plaintiff’s family member had received a visa, several applicants had interviews scheduled and others had individual decisions. That is a thin basis for broad conclusions, and it is the firm’s reading of the filing.
What applicants can do
The firm suggests: determine whether your refusal rested solely on the pause or on other grounds; respond promptly to any request for documents, information or interviews; ask the consular post for a status update and whether reconsideration is available; and consult an immigration attorney about an individual mandamus suit or other action. It notes that a mandamus court generally cannot order a consular officer to approve a visa. General rules for immigrant visas are on the State Department’s immigrant visa pages.
A worked example
As an illustration, not a real case: a Pakistani family whose spouse-based immigrant visa was refused only under the pause should first check the refusal notice for its stated ground, then contact the embassy about reconsideration. Related background is in our reports on the November 2026 Visa Bulletin and the USCIS fee increase, and the visa eligibility checker can help you compare alternative routes.
What happens next
Without a processing deadline, timelines remain uncertain. Watch for further government filings in the case and for consular guidance on reconsideration. Applicants should keep copies of their refusal notices, interview letters and any correspondence with the consulate, since the firm’s advice depends on whether a refusal rested solely on the pause. Because the figures come from the firm’s reading of a filing, readers who need certainty should ask an attorney to review the filing itself.
Questions on the pause
When was the pause struck down?
21 August 2026, in CLINIC v. Rubio, according to the Sapochnick firm’s post.
How many applications were refused under it?
More than 43,000, per the same post.
How many have been decided since?
706 adjudicated between 21 August and 30 September, with 318 approved or issued and 388 refused on other grounds.
Is there a deadline for reconsideration?
The post says the ruling set none.
Is this from a court document?
No. It is a law firm’s blog summarising a State Department filing.
Should I sue?
That is a question for an immigration attorney; mandamus generally cannot compel approval.
Sources
- Law Offices of Jacob J. Sapochnick — 75-country visa pause update. https://visalawyerblog.com/75-country-visa-pause-update-only-318-visa-approvals-as-thousands-remain-delayed
- U.S. Department of State — Immigrant visas. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate.html
Image: US Capitol, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.