U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a major update to its Policy Manual, reestablishing strict, standardized interview guidelines for individuals applying for lawful permanent residence (green cards) based on asylum or refugee status.
This change, effective immediately as of July 2025, directly impacts asylees, refugees, and their qualifying family members who are filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Why Did USCIS Update the Policy?
This update is part of USCIS’s broader effort to enhance program integrity, security, and transparency in the adjustment of status process. It aims to identify and deter:
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Fraud or misrepresentation
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Identity-related inconsistencies
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National security threats
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Public safety risks
The changes align with Executive Order 14161, titled Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.
When Will USCIS Require an Interview?
Under the updated guidance, USCIS officers are instructed to refer asylee and refugee cases for interviews if any of the following red flags apply:
🔹 Identity Concerns
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The applicant’s identity cannot be verified using available records
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The applicant has conflicting, unresolved, or multiple identities, aside from legal name changes
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The applicant is claiming a new identity not previously associated with their records
🔹 Fraud or Status Concerns
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Immigration records are insufficient to confirm refugee/asylee status
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There is evidence of potential fraud or misrepresentation in the initial asylum or refugee process
🔹 FBI Fingerprint Issues
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Fingerprint results show a record of criminal activity that could make the applicant inadmissible
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The applicant has received two unclassifiable fingerprint results (prints unreadable)
🔹 Admissibility or Security Flags
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The officer cannot determine admissibility without an interview
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The applicant is from or resided in a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism
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There is a specific concern involving terrorism or national security risks
What This Means for Applicants
Applicants who were previously exempt from interviews as asylees or refugees may now find themselves required to attend one. This update may also increase processing times for some I-485 applications. However, it also provides more clarity and consistency on when and why USCIS will schedule interviews.