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policies between January 2017 and March 2024

83 Policies

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Current Status
  1. February 2017

    1. February 13, 2017

      USCIS raises standard for initial credible fear and reasonable fear interviews

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice
  1. April 2017

    1. April 25, 2017

      DHS increases capacity for Asylum Division to lead fraud investigations and evaluate national security threats

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Data and Reports

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. January 2018

    1. January 26, 2018

      USCIS announces "last in-first out" processing for affirmative asylum interviews

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. March 2018

    1. Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. March 7, 2018

      AG Sessions issues Matter of A-B-, restricting asylum claims based on domestic or gang violence

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications EOIRAGICEUSCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Adjudication
  1. April 2018

    1. April 27, 2018

      CBP's metering policy is confirmed through litigation

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCISEOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Agency DirectiveChange in Practice
  1. May 2018

    1. May 9, 2018

      EOIR releases immigration court statistics through Q2 of FY18

      Asylum, Withholding and CATMinorsHearings and Adjudications EOIR Final/Actual Data and Reports

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. May 29, 2018

      USCIS removes asylum officer training documents from USCIS website

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. June 2018

    1. June 14, 2018

      DOS proposed revisions to Form DS-7655, Iraqi Citizens and Nationals Employed by Federal Contractors and Grantees

      Asylum, Withholding and CATRefugeesImmigrant Visas: Special Immigrant DOS Rescinded Forms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. June 19, 2018

      DHS reportedly increasing its use of medical records in asylum determinations in children's cases

      MinorsAsylum, Withholding and CATEnforcement USCISICEORR Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. June 28, 2018

      New Jersey IJs issue notices on asylum, withholding, and CAT relief applicants on Matter of A-B-

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT EOIRICE Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Agency Directive
  1. July 2018

    1. July 3, 2018

      AG Sessions rescinds 24 guidance documents, including guidance discouraging employers from discriminating against asylees and refugees

      RefugeesAsylum, Withholding and CATSanctuary Restrictions DOJ Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. July 11, 2018

      ICE issues guidance for OPLA attorneys on litigating asylum claims after Matter of A-B-

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICEEOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Agency Directive
    3. July 11, 2018

      Reports of possible safe-third country agreement with Mexico

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCISDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. September 2018

    1. September 12, 2018

      State Department certifies immigration enforcement cooperation agreements with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT DOS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. September 12, 2018

      Report that State Department plans to pay Mexico $20 million to deport unauthorized immigrants

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT DOS Reported Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. November 2018

    1. November 9, 2018

      DOJ and DHS issue interim final rule restricting access to asylum for individuals who enter outside recognized POEs

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder USCISCBPICEDHSEOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Rule
    2. November 9, 2018

      POTUS issues Proclamation 9822 suspending entry across southern border outside ports of entry to bar asylum access

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCISICEEOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Presidential Orders

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    3. November 9, 2018

      USCIS issues guidance to asylum officers implementing asylum ban proclamation and regulation

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder USCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    4. November 19, 2018

      EOIR Director orders IJs to adjudicate asylum claims within 180 days

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT ICEEOIR Final/Actual Agency Directive
  1. December 2018

    1. December 20, 2018

      DHS promulgates the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCISICE Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. January 2019

    1. January 28, 2019

      USCIS issues guidance for implementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
    2. January 28, 2019

      CBP issues guidance for implementing Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
    3. January 28, 2019

      USCIS announces online case status feature for asylum applicants

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Forms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. February 2019

    1. February 12, 2019

      ICE issues guidance on Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT ICEEOIR Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. March 2019

    1. March 1, 2019

      USCIS makes unannounced Form I-730 processing changes, referring certain petitions to ICE

      Asylum, Withholding and CATRefugees ICEUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. April 2019

    1. Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. April 29, 2019

      President Trump issues memo proposing to tighten asylum rules

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder EOIRUSCISCBPAG Proposed Presidential Orders

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    3. April 30, 2019

      Asylum interviewers will no longer be trained to consider lack of asylum seekers' evidence

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS In LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. May 2019

    1. May 2, 2019

      Border Patrol agents will conduct and decide credible fear claims

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT CBPUSCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. May 31, 2019

      USCIS updates procedures for unaccompanied children's asylum applications

      MinorsAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. June 2019

    1. June 7, 2019

      United States and Mexico sign joint statement on immigration enforcement

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICECBPDOS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. July 2019

    1. July 8, 2019

      Report: Immigration Officials Use Secretive Gang Databases to Deny Asylum Claims

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorderInterior ICECBPUSCISDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. July 9, 2019

      Asylum seekers given less time to prepare for credible fear interviews

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS In LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. July 15, 2019

      EOIR issues guidelines regarding DHS/DOJ third country interim final rule

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT ICEEOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationRescinded Agency Directive
    4. July 15, 2019

      ICE interim guidance for implementation of Matter of M-S-

      Asylum, Withholding and CATDetention ICE Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    5. December 17, 2020

      DHS and DOJ issue joint third country asylum final rule

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder ICEEOIRUSCISCBP Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Rule

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    6. July 26, 2019

      United States and Guatemala sign Asylum Cooperative Agreement

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder DOJCBPUSCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency Directive
    7. July 26, 2019

      USCIS issues guidance regarding asylum and internal relocation

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    8. July 29, 2019

      AG decides Matter of L-E-A-, narrowing family-based PSGs

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT EOIRICEAGUSCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Adjudication
  1. August 2019

    1. August 21, 2019

      Reported: More than 2,000 migrants returned to Central American countries under "Assisted Voluntary Return" program.

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT DHSDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. August 27, 2019

      DHS moves $155M from disaster relief to immigration enforcement

      BorderDetentionAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICEFEMA Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. August 28, 2019

      U.S. and El Salvador sign letter of cooperation to reduce border migration

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICECBP Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. September 2019

    1. September 20, 2019

      United States and El Salvador sign Asylum Cooperative Agreement

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT DOJUSCISCBP Final/ActualIn LitigationRescinded Agency Directive
    2. September 25, 2019

      United States and Honduras sign Asylum Cooperative Agreement

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT CBPUSCISDOJ Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency Directive
    3. September 30, 2019

      USCIS issues policy guidance for Matter of L-E-A-

      Asylum, Withholding and CATRefugees USCISICEEOIR Final/Actual Agency Directive
  1. October 2019

    1. October 7, 2019

      DHS begins implementing the Prompt Asylum Claim Review program

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorderDetentionHearings and Adjudications CBPUSCISEOIR Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice
  1. November 2019

    1. November 6, 2019

      DHS begins implementing the Humanitarian Asylum Review Program

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorderHearings and Adjudications USCISCBPEOIR Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice
    2. November 7, 2019

      CBP issues NTAs with false court dates to migrants in MPP

      Hearings and AdjudicationsAsylum, Withholding and CAT CBPICEEOIR Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. November 19, 2019

      Interim final rule modifies existing regulations to implement the Asylum Cooperative Agreements

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT EOIRUSCISCBPDOS Final/ActualIn Litigation Rule
    4. November 19, 2019

      EOIR memorializes policy regarding joint rule on the implementation of Asylum Cooperative Agreements

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorderHearings and Adjudications USCISEOIRICE Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency Directive
    5. November 22, 2019

      EOIR General Counsel issues guidance on applying Asylum Eligibility and Procedural Modifications Rule to certain asylum seekers impacted by metering

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications EOIR Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. December 2019

    1. December 6, 2019

      Reported: EOIR expands use of "tent courts" along Southern Border

      HumanitarianAsylum, Withholding and CATBorderHearings and Adjudications USCISEOIRCBPICE Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. January 2020

    1. January 23, 2020

      USCIS rejects certain application forms for incompleteness if any fields are left blank

      Asylum, Withholding and CATU/T/VAWA USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
  1. February 2020

    1. February 26, 2020

      AG Barr issues Matter of R-A-F-, remanding BIA decision for reconsideration of "torture" determination

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications AGEOIR Final/Actual Adjudication

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. March 2020

    1. March 17, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS temporarily suspends in-person services

      Asylum, Withholding and CATCitizenship USCIS Rescinded Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. March 20, 2020

      COVID-19: CDC order under Title 42 authorizes CBP expulsion of persons arriving by land from Mexico or Canada without valid documents

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CATMinors CBPDHSCDC Final/ActualIn LitigationRenewed Agency Directive
    3. March 20, 2020

      COVID-19: CBP issues memo on turning away migrants at borders, including unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT CBPCDC Final/Actual Agency Directive
    4. March 23, 2020

      COVID-19: DHS and EOIR jointly announce rescheduling of MPP hearings

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications ICEEOIR Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. April 2020

    1. April 29, 2020

      EOIR issues guidance on legal changes affecting individuals in the CNMI

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications EOIR Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. April 30, 2020

      EOIR extends bar for asylum in CNMI to 2030

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT EOIR Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. June 2020

    1. June 17, 2020

      AG Barr certifies Matter of A-M-R-C-, a 15 years' closed asylum case

      Hearings and AdjudicationsAsylum, Withholding and CAT AG Final/Actual Adjudication

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. June 22, 2020

      DHS amends regulation to remove 30-day processing provision for asylum employment authorization applications

      Asylum, Withholding and CATLabor USCISDHS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Rule
    3. June 26, 2020

      DHS publishes final rule adopting one-year wait for asylum EADs

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationRescinded Rule
  1. July 2020

    1. July 14, 2020

      AG Barr issues Matter of O-F-A-S-, clarifying when harm by a public official constitutes torture for CAT purposes

      Hearings and AdjudicationsAsylum, Withholding and CAT AGEOIR Final/Actual Adjudication

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. August 2020

    1. August 3, 2020

      USCIS issues final rule increasing fees

      Asylum, Withholding and CATImmigrant VisasNon-Immigrant VisasNaturalization USCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Rule
    2. August 20, 2020

      Trump Cabinet officials voted in 2018 White House meeting to separate migrant children

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT DHSDOJ Reported Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    3. August 21, 2020

      USCIS updates its policy manual with guidance on terminating asylee status at adjustment of status

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICEEOIR Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. September 2020

    1. Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. September 23, 2020

      DHS issues a temporary rule requiring the use of USCIS-contracted telephonic interpreters in asylum interviews

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications USCIS Final/ActualExpired Rule
  1. October 2020

    1. October 13, 2020

      Unauthorized CBP operation in Guatemala relocates Honduran migrants to the Guatemala-Honduras border

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT DOSDHSCBP Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. October 21, 2020

      EOIR and USCIS issue final rule expanding criminal bars to asylum and limiting review of discretionary denials of asylum

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and AdjudicationsInteriorBorder CBPICEUSCISEOIRBureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Rule

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    3. October 30, 2020

      CBP expelling migrant children from other countries into Mexico

      BorderMinorsAsylum, Withholding and CAT CBP Reported Change in Practice
  1. November 2020

    1. November 2, 2020

      USCIS releases instructions on filing Form I-589 asylum applications with the Asylum Vetting Center

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Change in PracticeForms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. November 5, 2020

      AG Barr issues Matter of Negusie, ruling there is no duress exception to "persecutor bar" for asylum and withholding of removal

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT AGEOIRICEUSCIS Final/Actual Adjudication
    3. November 5, 2020

      EOIR issues guidance for implementing Mendez Rojas settlement on recent border crossers and one-year asylum deadline

      Hearings and AdjudicationsAsylum, Withholding and CAT EOIRUSCISDHS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. November 6, 2020

      EOIR rescinds OPPMs based on ABT settlement agreement

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications EOIR Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    5. November 18, 2020

      USCIS to require I-730 petitioners to appear for interview

      RefugeesAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/ActualRescinded Agency DirectiveChange in Practice
  1. December 2020

    1. December 11, 2020

      EOIR and DHS issue final rule significantly restricting asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT protections

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT CBPUSCISEOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Rule
    2. December 15, 2020

      USCIS expands interview requirements for refugee/asylee adjustment of status

      Asylum, Withholding and CATRefugeesImmigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
    3. December 16, 2020

      EOIR imposes tougher procedures for asylum and withholding of removal

      Asylum, Withholding and CATHearings and Adjudications EOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Rule

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    4. December 23, 2020

      EOIR and USCIS issue communicable-disease security bars to asylum and withholding eligibility

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCISCBPDHSEOIR Final/Actual Rule
    5. December 28, 2020

      EOIR releases factsheet on "Myths vs. Facts About Immigration Proceedings"

      Hearings and AdjudicationsAsylum, Withholding and CAT EOIR Final/Actual Data and Reports

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect