Asylum

USCIS is updating its Policy Manual to clarify interview criteria and vetting standards for asylees, refugees, and their family members applying for permanent residence via Form I-485. The updated guidance strengthens screening procedures…

A former Haitian mayor was sentenced to nine years in prison for lying to immigration authorities about his involvement in political violence and human rights violations. The case underscores that concealing past crimes or abuse during…

USCIS updated its policy guidance on the validity of marriages for principal asylees and refugees seeking to include a spouse as a derivative beneficiary. All marriages must now be legally valid under the law of the jurisdiction where the…

A Brazilian national in Massachusetts pleaded guilty to perjury for lying on his asylum application and during an immigration hearing. The case resulted in a federal criminal conviction and prison sentence. This illustrates enforcement…

A Broward County resident has been charged with submitting fraudulent asylum applications to USCIS as part of a federal indictment. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation. This case demonstrates enforcement…

Immigration judges will now conduct a fuller review of asylum officers' credible fear and reasonable fear determinations, including checking whether applicants face bars to asylum or removal. This technical clarification ensures judges…

DHS has finalized a rule that applies mandatory bars during fear screenings for noncitizens encountered at the border who lack legal status. The rule was proposed in May 2024 and is now in effect. DHS reports this is part of efforts that…

USCIS moved processing of Form I-730 refugee following-to-join petitions from the Asylum Vetting Center to the International Operations Division, effective May 6, 2024. This reorganization affects refugees seeking to petition for family…

USCIS opened a temporary additional asylum office location in Oakland, California, effective May 15, 2024, to serve applicants under the San Francisco Asylum Office's jurisdiction. Asylum applicants may now receive interview notices for…

USCIS's Tampa Asylum Office is relocating to a new location. The move affects asylum applicants and their representatives in the Tampa jurisdiction. Details on the new address and any service disruptions should be confirmed with USCIS.

USCIS has issued new instructions for people who want to file asylum applications after their removal proceedings were dismissed or terminated by the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The guidance clarifies the process and…

USCIS is extending the validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to 5 years for refugees, paroled refugees, asylees, and people with withholding of removal. Previously, these documents had shorter validity periods. This…

Starting September 13, 2023, affirmative asylum applicants must bring their own interpreter to their USCIS interview if they are not fluent in English or want to conduct the interview in a non-English language. USCIS will no longer…

USCIS has changed where people must file certain affirmative asylum applications by mail, effective immediately. The agency updated filing locations and documentation requirements to streamline the process. Applicants should verify the…

USCIS now automatically creates and provides official documents proving immigration status to newly approved asylees and permanent residents once an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals grants their case. This eliminates…