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Original Date Announced
August 1, 2025USCIS issued Policy Alert PA-2025-13, updating the USCIS Policy Manual to expand the scenarios for when interviews are required for refugees and asylees filing Form I-485 for adjustment of status. Changes were made to Volume 7 of the Policy Manual, specifically Part L (Refugee Adjustment) and Part M (Asylee Adjustment), both under Chapter 5 on adjudication procedures.
USCIS officers will continue to review A-files and refugee travel packets and determine interviews on a case-by-case basis, with mandatory interviews in cases of identity discrepancies or security concerns. However, the revisions include adding interview triggers for suspected fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining refugee or asylee status, expanding the sources of admissibility verification to include other agency records and background checks, and referring cases involving individuals from or last residing in countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism for interviews. The criteria now also specifically address situations requiring inadmissibility waiver considerations and reinforce national security and public safety vetting as a priority.
The revisions apply to both pending and newly filed applications, effective immediately, and supersede any prior guidance. The past language for the interview criteria for refugee and asylee adjustments of status can be found at these links.
Trump 2.0 [ID #1901]
2025.08.01: USCIS PA-2025-13 Refugee and Asylee Adjustment of Status Interview Criteria 2025.08.01: USCIS Policy Manual, Refugee Adjustment of Status Procedures 2025.08.01: USCIS Policy Manual, Asylee Adjustment of Status ProceduresEffective Date
August 1, 2025Current Status
Fully in EffectOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Actions: Change in Practice Forms and Information CollectionSubject Matter: Refugees Asylum, Withholding and CAT Immigrant Visas: Family-BasedAgencies Affected: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration USCISAssociated or Derivative Policies
Pre Trump-Era Policies
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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