USCIS Releases First Practice Manual for the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO)

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) conducts administrative review of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers’ decisions regarding immigration benefit requests in order to promote consistency and accuracy in the interpretation of immigration law and policy.  We have appellate jurisdiction over approximately fifty different types of immigration applications and petitions.      

The AAO Practice Manual describes rules, procedures, and recommendations for practice before the AAO.  It is organized into seven chapters, including:

New USCIS Rule Regarding Mailing of Notices and Documents

New USCIS Rule Regarding Mailing of Notices and Documents

 Beginning today, 27 January 2015, USCIS will follow the following policies in sending out notices, approved documents etc.

1.     When unrepresented, notice to the applicant only.  USCIS will send notices only  to the applicant or petitioner when the applicant or petitioner is  unrepresented. (8 CFR 103.2(b)(19)(i)).

USCIS Final Rule of Decisions and Documents Evidencing Lawful Status, Effective Jan. 27, 2015

The final rule, Notices of Decisions and Documents Evidencing Lawful Status, published on Oct. 29, 2014, is effective today, Jan. 27, 2015. This rule amends regulations governing when USCIS will:

  • correspond with,
  • issue a notice of decision to, or
  • provide documents to

an applicant, petitioner, or requester, and/or an attorney of record or accredited representative.