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USCIS issues policy guidance on submission of benefit requests

  1. Original Date Announced

    March 5, 2020

    USCIS issues a policy alert notifying stakeholders that USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the submission of benefits requests to USCIS. Among other things, USCIS's policy guidance explains signature validity, explains proper submission and acceptance of benefit requests with USCIS, and clarifies that USCIS rejects benefit requests that do not meet certain minimum requirements at the time of filing. [ID #980]

    Submission of Benefit Requests
  2. Effective Date

    March 5, 2020
  3.  
  4. Biden Administration Action: Modified

    March 29, 2023

    Policy Alert - Filing Periods and Response Timeframes Ending on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays

    On March 29, 2023, USCIS announced an update to its Policy Manual, clarifying that when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, USCIS will consider a paper filing or response timely if USCIS receives it by the end of the next business day. The Manual previously had been silent on this issue. (The policy update does not affect electronic filings or electronically-submitted responses, which are considered timely immediately upon submission.)

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Current Status

Fully in Effect

Most Recent Action

March 29, 2023 Action: Modified Policy Alert - Filing Periods and Response Timeframes Ending on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays
March 29, 2023
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Agencies Affected: USCIS

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