-
Original Date Announced
May 11, 2026DHS issued an interim final rule (IFR) amending regulations governing the submission of benefit requests with invalid signatures. The IFR provides that if USCIS accepts a benefit request and determines later that it lacks a valid signature, USCIS may, in its discretion, reject or deny the request. If USCIS decides to deny a request on the basis of an invalid signature, USCIS may retain the associated benefit filing fee and consider the application fully adjudicated and the applicant ineligible for the requested benefit. The IFR also states that "USCIS officers have no discretion to 'cure' an invalid signature or deficient signature that would have rendered the filing invalid at the time of submission."
As justification, DHS states that "USCIS has seen an uptick in many invalid signatures that are only able to be identified after a benefits request is accepted." The amendment applies to requests submitted on or after July 10, 2026.
Trump 2.0 [ID #2329]
2026.05.11 DHS - Signatures on Immigration Benefit RequestsEffective Date
July 10, 2026Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Comment Period Final/ActualTrump Administration Actions: Change in Practice RuleSubject Matter: Immigrant Visas Enforcement Non-Immigrant Visas HumanitarianAgencies Affected: USCISAssociated or Derivative Policies
- September 12, 2025 Reported: USCIS issuing denials due to lack of a valid signature
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
-
New Policy
Original Source:
2026.05.11 DHS - Signatures on Immigration Benefit Requests
To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com