Adjudicate Definition
The Boundless Immigration Glossary
ADJUDICATED
In U.S. immigration, adjudicated refers to the formal review and decision-making process conducted by immigration authorities on an application, petition, or request, such as for a temporary visa, a green card, political asylum, or other immigration benefit.
During adjudication, officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or immigration judges for certain cases, examine all submitted documents, evidence, and eligibility criteria to decide whether to approve, deny, or request additional information.
For example:
- An asylum application is adjudicated when USCIS or an immigration judge makes a decision to grant or deny asylum.
- A visa application is adjudicated when a U.S. consulate or embassy approves or denies the visa based on eligibility requirements.
The adjudication process is essential to enforce immigration law and ensure applicants meet the requirements for each specific immigration benefit.