U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued three new policy updates in the USCIS Policy Manual. These updates:
• Clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing;
• Address the circumstances in which officers should issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs); and
• Extend the validity period for initial and renewal employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain noncitizens with pending adjustment of status applications.
These updates support Executive Order (E.O.) 14012, “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans” directing federal agencies to identify strategies that promote inclusion and identify barriers that impede access to immigration benefits, issued by President Biden on Feb. 2, 2021.
Expedited Processing
Benefit requestors may request USCIS to expedite the adjudication of their immigration benefit requests, such as applications or petitions. USCIS considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis. USCIS is updating their policy guidance, primarily in Volume 1, Part A of the Policy Manual, to clarify the relevant criteria and circumstances.
Highlights
• Clarifies what USCIS considers an emergency situation, such as a critical need to travel to obtain medical treatment in a limited amount of time.
• Restores the ability for a nonprofit organization (as designated by the Internal Revenue Service) whose request is in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States to request discretionary expedited service, even when premium processing is available for that benefit.
• Clarifies that expedited processing of applications for noncitizens pending removal or in removal proceedings is coordinated between USCIS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
RFEs and NOIDs
In 2013, USCIS published guidance instructing officers to issue RFEs in cases involving insufficient evidence before denying such cases, unless the officer determined that there was no possibility that the benefit requestor could overcome a finding of ineligibility by submitting additional evidence. In 2018, USCIS rescinded this “no possibility” policy and issued guidance stating that officers may deny benefit requests for lack of initial required evidence without first sending an RFE or NOID.
USCIS is returning to the principles of the 2013 policy and issuing guidance in Volume 1, Part E, Chapter 6 of the Policy Manual.
Highlights
• Explains that an officer should generally issue an RFE or NOID if the officer determines there is a possibility the benefit requestor can overcome a finding of ineligibility for the benefit sought by submitting additional evidence.
• Emphasizes that officers should not issue unnecessary RFEs and NOIDs, such as in cases where the officer determines the evidence already submitted establishes eligibility or ineligibility for the benefit sought.
• Provides guidance on when and how officers should issue RFEs and NOIDs and the limited circumstances in which officers may deny a case without first issuing an RFE or NOID.
• Explains timeframes and options for benefit requestors to respond to RFEs and NOIDs.
EAD Validity
USCIS will increase the current one-year validity period on initial and renewal EADs to two years for certain adjustment of status applicants. This will significantly lessen the number of employment authorization requests we receive, allow us to shift limited resources to other priority areas, and ease an unnecessary burden on individuals waiting on the adjudication of their adjustment of status applications. Additional information can be found in Volume 10, Part B, Chapter 4 of the Policy Manual.
Highlights
• Effective immediately upon publication, initial and renewal EADs for eligible adjustment applicants will be valid for two years, instead of one year.
If you should have any questions or need more information about the ways in which the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Laws may impact you, your family, your friends or your colleagues, please contact the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Lawyers at the NPZ Law Group – VISASERVE – U.S. Immigration and Nationality Lawyers by e-mailing us at info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 (x104). You can also visit our Law Firm’s website at www.visaserve.com
USCIS link: https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-updates-policies-to-improve-immigration-services
USCIS POLICY links:
POLICY ALERT – Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny
POLICY ALERT – USCIS Expedite Criteria and Circumstances
POLICY ALERT – Employment Authorization for Certain Adjustment Applicants