Policy Changes of ‘In-Person Interview’ Requirements for Asylees when they filed the Form I-485
Policy Changes of ‘In-Person Interview’ Requirements for Asylees
On August 01, 2025, USCIS announced policy changes for an interview requirement for asylees when they filed the Form I-485 for their adjustment. This policy is implemented due to Federal government wants to ensure program integrity and improve the detection of fraud, misrepresentation, national security threats, and public safety risks. This policy changes will impact to all pending I-485 applications filed by asylee applicant immediately.
The “in-person interview” is required when:
The 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
Immigration records are insufficient for the officer to determine whether or not the alien has asylum 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 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 eligibility or 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 the original grant of asylum may have been obtained through fraud or misrepresentation
There is evidence that suggests that the derivative asylee no longer has the requisite relationship to adjust status as a derivative spouse or child
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
The officer articulates a concern regarding identity, inadmissibility, national security, public safety, or fraud, and recommends an interview to help to resolve that concern.
Note: this information provided here is for general information and educational purposes only, and it does not constitute legal advice.
