Trump admin restores USCIS power to deny immigration requests outright without seeking more proof
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has reinstated the authority for officers to deny immigration applications without first requesting additional evidence. This policy change aims to reduce processing backlogs caused by incomplete filings but has raised concerns among visa applicants.
Why it matters
This shift significantly increases the risk of outright denial for immigrants and visa holders, requiring higher precision in initial application filings.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tightened its adjudication policy, restoring officers' discretion to deny ‘immigration-benefit’ requests without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if applicants fail to establish eligibility or submit all the required initial evidence at the time of filing. In addition, the deadline to respond to a RFE, if any is issued, has also been shortened.Given the large Indian population in the US on H-1B and F-1 visas, along with thousands of H-4 dependents, the policy is likely to heighten anxiety among applicants.
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