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USCIS Freezes Final Decisions on Diversity Visa Green Card Cases Filed in the U.S.

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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new policy memorandum placing an immediate hold on final decisions for Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Adjustment of Status applications filed within the United States, a move that could affect thousands of applicants across Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions.

The policy, which took effect on December 19, 2025, applies to DV Lottery winners who are already in the U.S. and have applied for permanent residencyโ€”commonly known as a green cardโ€”through the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process.

Immigration attorney Akua Poku, managing partner of AK Poku Law, PLLC, said the directive does not mean cases have been rejected but signals a pause while USCIS conducts a broader review.

โ€œA hold is not a denial,โ€ Poku explained. โ€œUSCIS will continue processing these cases, but approvals or denials are temporarily suspended during a comprehensive review.โ€

Who Is Affected

The hold applies to:

  • Pending DV green card applications filed inside the U.S.
  • Ancillary applications, including work permits and travel documents
  • Certain waiver filings linked to DV cases, such as waivers of inadmissibility or permission to reapply after removal

Notably, derivative applicantsโ€”spouses and children of DV Lottery winnersโ€”are also covered by the hold if they are adjusting status in the United States.

Increased Scrutiny Expected

USCIS indicated that it may now require interviews or re-interviews, even for applications that would normally be approved without one. This change extends beyond green card applications to related filings if officers believe in-person questioning is necessary.

According to the memo, the review focuses on national security concerns, criminal history, identity verification, fraud indicators, and other grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law. In some cases, USCIS may even re-examine previously approved benefits if broader risks are identified.

No End to the DV Lottery

Despite growing concerns, the policy does not ะพั‚ะผะตะฝ cancel the Diversity Visa Lottery programme or automatically terminate pending cases. However, USCIS confirmed it is reviewing the DV Adjustment of Status framework itself, raising expectations of longer processing times and tighter checks.

For many African countries, including Ghana, the DV Lottery remains a major pathway to legal migration to the United States. As a result, the policy shift is being closely watched by applicants and immigration advocates across the continent.

Advice to Applicants

Legal experts are urging DV applicants affected by the policy to remain calm but cautious.

โ€œThis is not the time to respond to USCIS notices without professional guidance,โ€ Poku warned. โ€œGiven the time-sensitive nature of the DV programme, informed legal advice is critical.โ€

As USCIS continues its review, applicants are advised to monitor official updates and consult experienced immigration attorneys to understand how the changes may affect their cases.


This report is based on commentary from the AK Poku Law Team, a U.S.-based immigration law firm representing immigrants worldwide.

Sights and Sounds

From Fantasy Coffins to Sunset by the Sea: Exploring Accra’s Living Art Scene

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The best way to understand Accra isn’t from behind the window of a tour bus. It is on foot, where every street, gallery and workshop reveals another layer of Ghana’s artistic identity.

An afternoon culture walk through the capital offers precisely that opportunity, bringing visitors face to face with traditions that continue to shape the country’s creative landscape.

The journey begins in the city’s thriving arts community, where contemporary galleries showcase paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works by Ghanaian and African artists. These spaces are more than exhibition venues.

They are meeting points for ideas, where established names and emerging talents challenge perceptions of African art while celebrating stories rooted in local experience.

One of the tour’s most memorable stops introduces visitors to one of Ghana’s most distinctive artistic traditions: fantasy coffins.

At first glance, the brightly coloured creations may seem surprising. Fashioned into forms ranging from fish and cocoa pods to cameras, aeroplanes and animals, they reflect the life, profession, achievements or aspirations of the deceased.

Originating among the Ga people of southern Ghana, fantasy coffins have become internationally recognised as remarkable examples of functional art.

They represent a cultural belief that death is not an ending but a continuation of life’s journey, where individuality deserves to be honoured with imagination and craftsmanship.

Today, these extraordinary works are admired in museums and exhibitions around the world while remaining deeply connected to the communities that created them.

As the walk continues, visitors gain an appreciation for Accra’s ability to blend tradition with modern creativity.

Murals brighten neighbourhood walls, independent studios nurture young designers and artists, and conversations with local guides provide context that cannot be found in travel brochures.

Every stop becomes an invitation to understand not only the artwork itself but also the people and cultural values behind it.

The experience concludes in a quieter setting beside the Atlantic Ocean. As the afternoon fades into evening, guests gather at a beach club to enjoy a locally inspired drink while watching the sun sink below the horizon.

The relaxed atmosphere offers time to reflect on the day’s discoveries, with the rhythm of the waves replacing the bustle of the city.

For international travellers, the culture walk presents an accessible introduction to Ghana beyond its famous landmarks.

Rather than focusing solely on monuments or museums, it celebrates creativity as a living, evolving part of everyday life.

In a city where art appears in galleries, workshops, public spaces and even funeral traditions, walking becomes more than a way to get around. It becomes a journey through the imagination, resilience and cultural richness that continue to define Accra.

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Sights and Sounds

Above the Capital: Discovering Accra Through a Hot Air Balloon Adventure

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Cities reveal their true character from the ground, but they tell an entirely different story from the sky.

Imagine watching the first rays of sunlight wash over Accra’s coastline, the city’s skyline gradually coming to life, while a colourful hot air balloon drifts quietly above it all.

It is a perspective few people have experiencedโ€”one that could redefine how visitors discover Ghana’s bustling capital.

Known for its energetic markets, lively beaches, historic landmarks and thriving arts scene, Accra has long attracted travellers seeking authentic West African experiences. Yet most adventures unfold at street level.

A hot air balloon tour introduces a fresh dimension, replacing traffic noise with silence and transforming familiar neighbourhoods into a sweeping landscape of colour, architecture and coastline.

Unlike helicopters or sightseeing planes, hot air balloons move gently with the wind, creating a calm and immersive journey. There is no rush from one attraction to another.

Instead, passengers are encouraged to slow down and appreciate the city’s geography, from the Atlantic shoreline stretching into the distance to the mosaic of homes, business districts, and green spaces that define modern Accra.

The experience also highlights how tourism continues to evolve in Ghana. Travellers increasingly seek memorable activities rather than simply checking landmarks off an itinerary.

Experiences that combine adventure, photography, and storytelling have become particularly attractive to younger visitors and international tourists looking for something distinctive.

Viewed from above, Accra reveals striking contrasts. Contemporary developments stand alongside historic communities, while busy roads weave towards the coast where fishing traditions continue much as they have for generations.

This aerial perspective offers more than beautiful scenery; it tells the story of a city balancing rapid growth with enduring cultural identity.

For photographers and content creators, a balloon flight provides an unrivalled canvas. The changing light, expansive horizons, and uninterrupted views create opportunities to capture images rarely seen in travel brochures. Every journey becomes unique, shaped by weather conditions, the direction of the wind, and the time of day.

As Ghana works to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations, experiences like hot air balloon tours reflect a growing emphasis on experiential travel.

Visitors are no longer satisfied with simply seeing a destinationโ€”they want to feel connected to it in unexpected ways.

Floating above Accra offers precisely that connection. It invites travellers to pause, look beyond the city’s busy rhythm and appreciate its beauty from an entirely new perspective.

Sometimes the best way to understand a place is not by walking its streets, but by quietly rising above them.

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Taste GH

A Food Lover’s Guide to Ghana’s Best Street Eats

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The quickest way to understand Ghana isn’t by visiting a museumโ€”it’s by following the irresistible aroma drifting from a busy roadside food stall.

Across the country, street food is more than a convenient meal; it is a celebration of community, tradition and unforgettable flavours.

A perfect place to begin is waakye, Ghana’s famous combination of rice and beans cooked with sorghum leaves.

Served with spicy black pepper sauce, fried plantain, boiled eggs, spaghetti, gari and tender meat or fish, every plate offers a satisfying mix of textures and flavours that keeps people coming back for more.

Another favourite is kelewele, cubes of ripe plantain seasoned with ginger, garlic and chilli before being fried until caramelised.

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, its sweet-and-spicy aroma fills the evening streets, making it one of Ghana’s most-loved snacks. Plantains also provide fibre, potassium and vitamins that support overall health.

Meat lovers should not leave without tasting chichinga, Ghana’s version of grilled kebabs. Coated in a fragrant blend of spices and cooked over glowing charcoal, the smoky flavour is impossible to resist. It is a familiar sight at roadside grills, especially after sunset.

For breakfast, many Ghanaians turn to koko and koose.

The warm millet porridge, lightly spiced with ginger and cloves, pairs beautifully with crispy bean fritters, creating a nourishing meal rich in fibre and plant-based protein.

No street food adventure is complete without bofrot. These fluffy fried dough balls, lightly sweetened and golden brown, are enjoyed as a snack with tea or fresh fruit juice and are a favourite at family gatherings and neighbourhood bakeries.

From bustling city corners to small-town markets, Ghana’s street food tells stories of hospitality, heritage and everyday life.

Every bite offers visitors a delicious introduction to the country’s rich culinary identity.

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