Announcement: USCIS Extends In-Person Services Suspension through June 3rd

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has amended a previous policy during the Biden Administration which encouraged adjudicating officers to issue a Request for Evidence (“RFE”) before denying an immigration benefit even if the benefit being sought was filed incomplete, the requestor failed to demonstrate eligibility for the benefit being sought, or did not provide initial evidence clearly required at the time of submission. According to USCIS, the previous policy allowed for frivolous or substantially incomplete filings which slowed processing times and led to increased operational costs. The new policy, which was announced on August 5, 2026, restores an adjudicating officer’s full discretion in denying an immigration benefit without first issuing an RFE or a Notice of Intent to Deny (“NOID”). Updated policy highlights include the following:  The revised policy is effective immediately and applies to immigration benefits that remain pending with USCIS or filed on or after