Policy Changes of “In-Person Interview” Requirements for Refugees

Policy Changes of Interview Requirements for Refugees

On August 01, 2025, USCIS announced of policy changes for an interview requirement for refugees when they filed the Form I-485 for their adjustment. This policy changes will be affected to all pending I-485 applications filed by refugee applicant immediately.

The “in-person interview” is required when:

• USCIS officer is unable to verify identity or determine admissibility based solely on the immigration records and systems, or other agency records or background checks

• The officer can verify the identity of the alien through system checks, but alien is claiming a new identity

• The officer is unable to determine whether the alien has refugee status

• The alien is a beneficiary of an approved Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition (Form I-730), but, the petition was approved when the alien was outside the United States, and he or she was not interviewed before his or her arrival to the United States or the petition was approved when the alien was in the United States and was not interviewed before the petition was approved

• The alien’s fingerprint check results indicate a record that may cause the alien to be inadmissible, or the alien has had two unclassifiable fingerprint responses

• Additional information is required from the alien to address potential admissibility issues or assess potential inadmissibility waiver considerations

• The alien has an articulable national security or terrorism-related ground of inadmissibility concern

• There is evidence that suggests that at the time of admission as a refugee, the alien’s refugee status may have been obtained through fraud or misrepresentation

• The alien has conflicting or multiple identities, other than properly documented by legal name changes

• A sworn statement is required to address the alien’s admissibility

• An interview would yield clarifying information, such as with an unclear response to an RFE concerning the alien’s admissibility

• The officer articulates an inadmissibility concern regarding that the alien is a citizen of, or last habitually resided in, a country that is now, or was at the time of last residence, a state sponsor of terrorism; or

• The officer articulates a concern regarding identity, inadmissibility, national security, public safety, or fraud, and recommends an interview to resolve that concern

Note: this information provided here is for general information and educational purposes only, and it does not constitute legal advice.