Humanitarian programsPOLICY UPDATE
Customer Contact Options for Certain Asylum-Related and Other Protected Populations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify customer service options available to certain noncitizens whose applications or processes are subject to confidentiality protections. Such noncitizens include applicants of the Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal ( Form I-589 ); applicants of the Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105-100 (NACARA)) ( Form I-881 ); and noncitizens in the credible fear, reasonable fear, and Safe Third Country Agreement screening processes.
Effective date and application
This guidance, contained in Volume 1 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately
Key changes
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify customer service options available to certain noncitizens whose applications or processes are subject to confidentiality protections. Such noncitizens include applicants of the Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal ( Form I-589 ); applicants of the Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105-100 (NACARA)) ( Form I-881 ); and noncitizens in the credible fear, reasonable fear, and Safe Third Country Agreement screening processes.
- Clarifies that USCIS Contact Center personnel may respond to inquiries regarding Form I-589 and Form I-881 applications and protection screenings after enhanced identity and authorization verification is completed.
- Explains that USCIS Contact Center personnel may also direct requestors to other resources, such as USCIS online accounts or the Case Status Online tool (only for inquiries related to Form I-589), the Asylum Office Locator tool, or other USCIS webpages, where appropriate.
