By: Jacqueline Valle and Deepika Singh

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance which clarifies when expedited processing can be used and when officers should issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), and which increases the validity period of initial and renewal employment authorization documents (EADs) for select foreign nationals whose adjustment of status applications are pending.

These updates to USCIS policy are in accordance with Executive Order 14012, “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans,” which directs federal agencies to focus on promoting inclusion and eliminating barriers to US immigration.

Expedited processing

Applicants or petitioners for USCIS benefits can request expedited service processing. USCIS will consider each request on a case-by-case basis and will update policy guidelines to clarify the criteria required to qualify. Notably, the regulations now:

• Define what constitutes an emergency, such as traveling to receive medical treatment.
• Restore the ability for a nonprofit organization to request discretionary expedited services, even when premium processing is available for the same benefit, if their request promotes the social or cultural interests of the United States.
• Clarify that USCIS and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement coordinate expedited processing for pending removal or removal proceedings applications for noncitizens.

issuance of RFEs and noids

Since 2018, USCIS allowed officers to deny requests if evidence was missing without first sending an RFE or NOID. The agency is returning to its 2013 policy, which dictates that officers should issue an RFE or NOID if there is a possibility that the applicant could overcome ineligibility by submitting additional evidence. Officers should not issue any unnecessary RFEs or NOIDs, especially in cases where the provided evidence is enough to establish either eligibility or ineligibility for the benefit in question.

The new guidelines detail when and how often officers should issue RFEs and NOIDs, further limit the circumstances under which cases can be denied without an RFE or a NOID, and clarify the timeframe and options for responding to either an RFE or NOID.

validity periods for eads

For certain adjustment of status applications, USCIS will increase the validity period for initial and renewal EADs from one year to two years. This rule is effective immediately.

conclusion

For help understanding how these updated USCIS regulations may impact your case, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP attorney.