Before this new order applicants in these categories did not require an in-person interview with USCIS.

USCIS will begin expanding in-person interviews on October 1, 2017 for certain immigrant applications leading to permanent residency in the United States. This change complies with the Executive Order “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” This is part of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) strategy to improve the detection and prevention of fraud, and enhance the immigration system. They will begin to interview for employment based Adjustment of Status Applications, Form I-485, and for refugees/asylees who are in the U.S. petitioning to join a principal applicant with Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition.

Before this new order applicants in these categories did not require an in-person interview with USCIS. The agency plans an expansion for interviews to other benefit types as well. Conducting in-person interviews will provide USCIS officers the opportunity to verify the information provided in an individuals application.

© Scott Global Migration Law Group 2017