This page contains USCIS Memoranda five years and older.
September 2006
AFM Update: Chapter 22: Employment-Based Petitions (AD03-01) ( PDF)
Michael Aytes, HQOPS
09/12/2006
December 2005
Interim Guidance for Processing I-140 Employment-Based Immigrant Petitions and I-485 and H-1B Petitions Affected by the American Competetiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21) (Public Law 106-313) ( PDF)
Michael Aytes HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0067
12/27/2005
Processing Guidelines for E-3 Australian Specialty Occupation Workers and Employment Authorization for E-3 Dependent Spouses ( PDF)
Michael Aytes HQOPS
12/15/2005
November 2005
Guidance on Evaluating a Request for the Rescheduling of an Interview and Handling the Failure of an Applicant, a Petitioner, a Sponsor, a Beneficiary, or other Individual to Appear for a Scheduled Interview ( PDF)
Michael Aytes HQOPS (AFM Update AD06-01)
11/23/2005
USCIS Policy Regarding Form I-864, Affidavit of Support ( PDF)
Michael Aytes HQOPS
11/23/2005
Guidance for Processing Pending Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) when G-325A for Petitioner and Beneficiary is not Signed and/or Photos Not Submitted ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
11/01/2005
October 2005
Eligibility to Self-Petition as a Battered Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Within Two Years of the Abuser's Loss of Status ( PDF)
Michael Aytes HQOPS (AFM Update AD05-12)
10/31/2005
Waivers under Section 209(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( PDF)
Michael Aytes HQOPS (AFM Update 05-33)
10/31/2005
Procedures for Calculating Maximum Period of Stay Regarding Limitations on Admission for H-1B and L-1 Nonimmigrants ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
10/21/2005
Remedial Measures Made Necessary by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ( PDF)
Michael Aytes HQOPS
10/05/2005
September 2005
Current Processing of Pending Forms I-140 for a Schedule A/Group I or II Occupations Missing Evidence of Compliance with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Notification/Posting Requirements ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
09/23/2005
Fee Waivers for Hurricane Katrina Victims ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
09/19/2005
Amendments to AFM Regarding Application of the Unlawful Acts Regulation in Naturalization Determinations ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
09/19/2005
Naming Conventions; Use of Full Legal Name on All USCIS Issued Documents ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
09/13/2005
July 2005
Changes to the L Nonimmigrant Classification Made by the L-1 Reform Act of 2004 ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
07/28/2005
June 2005
Expansion of the use of Form I-512L, Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the US, to Include all Advance Parole Issued by the National Benefits Customer and the Service ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
06/30/2005
Revised Interview Waiver Criteria for Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
06/24/2005
Fact Sheet on Confidentiality ( PDF)
Joseph E. Langlois HQASM
06/15/2005
Adjudication of Change of Status Requests for A, G, or NATO Classifications and Extensions of Stay for A-3, G-5 and NATO-7 Aliens ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
06/06/2005
May 2005
H-2B Filings for FY 2005 and FY 2006 Pursuant to Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 ( PDF)
Fujie O. Ohata HQOPS
05/24/2005
Interim Guidance for Processing Form I-140 Employment-Based Immigrant Petitions and Form I-485 and H-1B Petitions Affected by the AC21 Act ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
05/12/2005
April 2005
List of American Association of Blood Banks Accredited Parentage Testing Laboratories ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
04/07/2005
Procedural Changes for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status ( PDF)
Fujie O. Ohata HQOPS
04/05/2005
March 2005
Clarification of Certain Eligibility Requirements Pertaining to an Application to Adjust Status under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0063
03/09/2005
Implementation of Clark v. Martinez, 125 S. Ct. 716 (2005) ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
03/07/2005
February 2005
Requests for Evidence (RFE) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID) ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
02/16/2005
January 2005
Clarification of Classes of Applicants Eligible for Naturalization under Section 319(a) of the INA, as amended by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVPA), Pub. L. 106-386 ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
01/27/2005
Determinations of Good Moral Character in VAWA-Based Self-Petitions ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
01/19/2005
Establishment of an Investor and Regional Center Unit ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
01/19/2005
Extension of Status for Conditional Residents with Pending or Denied Form I-829 Petitions ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
01/18/2005
Adjudication of Form I-539 for V-2 and V-3 extension ( PDF)
Terrence M. O'Reilly HQOPS
01/10/2005
Relief Efforts for Aliens Affected by the December 26, 2004 Tsunami ( PDF)
01/10/05 William R. Yates HQOPS
01/10/2005
Guidance on the Limitations of Denials Based on Requests for Evidence Standards Not Required by the Statute, Regulations, or Form Instructions ( PDF)
Fujie O. Ohata HQOPS
01/06/2005
Revised Interview Waiver Criteria for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
01/05/2005
December 2004
Regression of E31 and E32 Visa Numbers for Applicants from Mainland China, India, and the Philippines ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
12/29/2004
Extension of Validity of Medical Certifications on Form I-693 ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
12/02/2004
November 2004
Exception to Nonimmigrant HIV Waiver Policy for K and V Nonimmigrants; Adjudicator's Field Manual Update ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS AFM Update: Chapter 41.3: Medical Waivers (AD 04-05)
11/02/2004
August 2004
Reminder of Change in Photograph Standard ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
08/25/2004
Age-Out Protections Afforded Battered Children Pursuant to The Child Status Protection Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (105KB PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
08/17/2004
The Child Status Protection Act - Children of Asylees and Refugees ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0064
08/17/2004
May 2004
Memorandum #3 -- Field Guidance on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Petitions ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
05/27/2004
Assessment of Deferred Action in Requests for Interim Relief from U Nonimmigrant Status Eligible Aliens in Removal Proceedings ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0062
05/06/2004
Determination of Ability to Pay under 8 CFR 204.5(g)(2) (937KB PDF)
William R. Yates
Associate Director, Operations
05/04/2004
April 2004
The Significance of a Prior CIS Approval of a Nonimmigrant Petition in the Context of a Subsequent Determination Regarding Eligibility for Extension of Petition Validity ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0061
04/23/2004
March 2004
I-94 Errors Issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
03/30/2004
Section 6 of the Child Status Protection Act ( PDF)
Joe Cuddihy HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0059
03/23/2004
Field Guidance on Granting Fee Waivers Pursuant to 8 CFR 103.7(c) ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
03/04/2004
January 2004
Concurrent Filing for Section 101(a)(27)(I) Special Immigrants ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
01/23/2004
Validity of Medical Certifications ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
01/08/2004
Lifting of Numerical Cap on Mexican NAFTA Nonimmigrant Professionals ("TN") and Free Trade Agreements with Chile and Singapore ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0060
01/08/2004
December 2003
Extension of Special Immigrant Religious Worker Program and Clarification of Tax Exempt Status Requirements for Religious Organizations ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
12/17/2003
Extension of Status for Conditional Residents with Pending Forms I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
12/02/2003
October 2003
Centralization of Interim Relief for U Nonimmigrant Status Applicants ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0057
10/08/2003
September 2003
Eligibility of Children Born out of Wedlock for Derivative Citizenship ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
09/26/2003
Final Regulation on Certification of Foreign Health Care Workers ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM) Update AD 03-31
09/22/2003
Sunset of Additional $1,000 Filing Fee Imposed by American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) and Return to 65,000 Annual Limit on H-1B Petition Approvals ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
09/15/2003
August 2003
Continuing Validity of Form I-140 Petition in accordance with Section 106(c) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21) ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0056
08/04/2003
July 2003
Implications of August 1, 2003 Deadline for Schools Currently or Recently Applying for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Certification ( PDF)
Jill Drury, SEVIS Program Office, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
07/25/2003
SEVIS Registration Deadline for all New and Continuing Non-immigrant Students ( PDF)
Jill Drury, SEVIS Program Office, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
07/25/2003
Validity of Medical Certifications ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
07/23/2003
Processing Derivative Refugees and Asylees under the Child Status Protection Act ( PDF)
Michael J. Petrucelli HQUSCIS Docket # USCIS-2008-0055
07/23/2003
Expedited Handling of Special Immigrant Religious Worker Petitions Before the October 1, 2003 Sunset Deadline ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
07/18/2003
June 2003
Procedures for Implementing the Waiving of the Oath of Renunciation and Allegiance for the Naturalization of Aliens Having Certain Disabilities ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0058
06/30/2003
Introducing Revised Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and New Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322 ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
06/23/2003
Amendments Affecting Adjudication of Petitions for Alien Entrepreneur ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQOPS
06/10/2003
The "Adjudicate Orphan Status First" Pilot Program ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
06/04/2003
May 2003
Additional Guidance: Processing Fingerprint Checks Prior to the Filing of Form I-600 Abroad ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS
05/13/2003
April 2003
Effect of Grandparent's Death on Naturalization under INA Section 322 ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQISD Docket # USCIS-2008-0054
04/17/2003
Filing a Waiver of the Joint Filing Requirement Prior to Final Termination of the Marriage ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQISD Docket # USCIS-2008-0053
04/10/2003
Processing Fingerprint Checks Prior to the Filing of Form I-600 Abroad ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQISD
04/07/2003
Guidance on "Period of Stay Authorized by the Attorney General" in Determining "Unlawful Presence" under section 212(a)(9)(B)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( PDF)
Thomas E. Cook HQUSCIS
04/02/2003
March 2003
The Meaning of 8 CFR 274a.12(a) as it Relates to Refugee and Asylee Authorization for Employment ( PDF)
William Yates HQISD
03/10/2003
February 2003
The Child Status Protection Act - Memorandum 2 ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS
02/14/2003
Waiver of Photograph for I-90, Applicants Seeking a Replacement or Renewal Form I-551 ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS
02/14/2003
January 2003
Guidance on Making the Naturalization Process Accessible to Applicants with Disabilities ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQOPS (Naturalization) Docket # USCIS-2008-0051
01/21/2003
Addition of Citizen Grandparents and Citizen Legal Guardians as Eligible Applicants Pursuant to INA 322 ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Janis Sposato HQISD Docket # USCIS-2008-0052
01/21/2003
November 2002
Guidance on Adjudication of H-1B Petitions Filed on Behalf of Nurses ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS (Services/H-1) Docket # USCIS-2008-0050
11/27/2002
Immediate Issuance of Forms I-688Bs to New Refugees and Asylees ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS
11/04/2002
October 2002
Instructions Regarding the Expanded Meaning of Section 319(a) ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQISD Docket # USCIS-2008-0001
10/15/2002
September 2002
Child Status Protection Act ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS
09/20/2002
August 2002
Eligibility to Self-Petition as an Intended Spouse of an Abusive U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS
08/21/2002
H.R. 1209 - Child Status Protection Act ( PDF)
Joseph E. Langlois HQASM Docket # USCIS-2008-0048
08/07/2002
Revocation of VAWA-Based Self-Petitions (I-360s) ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams /s/ Thomas Schiltgen HQOPS
08/05/2002
July 2002
Implementation of Executive Order 13269 ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Sposato HQISD
07/17/2002
June 2002
Policy Change - Public Law 107-150, The Family Sponsor Immigration Act of 2002: Use of Substitute Sponsor if Visa Petitioner Has Died ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0047
06/15/2002
May 2002
Notice to Designated School Officials ( PDF)
Johnny N. Williams HQOPS
05/30/2002
Procedures for Handling Naturalization Applications of Aliens Who Voted Unlawfully or Falsely Represented Themselves as U.S. Citizens by Voting or Registering to Vote ( PDF)
William R. Yates/s/
Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner
Office of File Operations
Immigration Services Division
05/07/2002
April 2002
Implementation Instructions for Section 114 of Public Law 107-77, "Department of Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002," 115 Stat. 748 ( PDF)
William R. Yages HQISD
04/10/2002
March 2002
Procedures for the Preservation of Immigration Benefits for Victims of Terrorism (Title IV, Subtitle C (Sections 421 - 428), of the USA PATRIOT Act) P.L. 107-56 (October 26, 2001) ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
03/08/2002
February 2002
Guidance on Employment Authorization for E and L Nonimmigrant Spouses, and for Determinations on the Requisite Employment Abroad for L Blanket Petitions ( PDF)
William R. Yates /s/ Cuddihy HQISD
02/22/2002
January 2002
Removal of Conditional Resident Status if Conditional Resident is the Spouse of an Individual Serving Abroad in the U.S. Armed Forces as Part of Operation Enduring Freedom ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson /s/ Joseph R. Greene HQOPS
01/17/2002
Current List of American Association of Blood Banks Accredited Parentage Testing Laboratories ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson /s/ David P. Peter HQOPS
01/17/2002
The 10/13/98N version of Form I-539, Revised Recently With an "N" Designation, Shall Be Accepted Until March 30, 2002 ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQISD
01/08/2002
Eligibility to Self-Petition as a Battered Spouse of a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Within Two Years of Divorce ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS Docket # USCIS-2008-0066
01/02/2002
December 2001
Suspension of Adjudication of Cambodian Orphan Petitions ( PDF)
James W. Ziglar HQCOM
12/21/2001
November 2001
Social Security Cards and the Adjudication of H-1B Petition ( PDF)
Thomas Cook HQADN
11/20/2001
October 2001
USA Patriot Act: New Anti-Terrorism Legislation ( PDF)
James W. Ziglar HQCOM
10/31/2001
Clarification of Procedures for Processing Applicants Covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) who are Ineligible for Asylum ( PDF)
Joseph E. Langlois HQASM
10/12/2001
Extension of the Executive Order Granting Deferred Enforced Departure to Certain Liberians in the United States as of September 29, 2001 ( PDF)
William R. Yates, HQISD
10/12/2001
National Interest Waivers for Second Preference Employment-Based Immigrant Physicians Serving in Medically Underserved Areas or at Veterans Affairs Facilities and Section 214(l)(2)(B) of the Act ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQISD
10/01/2001
September 2001
Discontinue Use of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 9003, Additional Questions to Be Completed by All Applicants for Permanent Residence in the United States, With Adjustment of Status Applications ( PDF)
William R. Yates HQISD
09/21/2001
August 2001
Parole Decision Authority (Amendment to March 16, 2001 memorandum) ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
08/23/2001
July 2001
Name Change to the Coordinated Interagency Partnership Regulating International Students (CIPRIS) Project ( PDF)
Michael Cronin /a/ HQPRG
07/20/2001
Fingerprint Waiver Policy for All Applicants for Benefits under the Immigration and Naturalization Act and Procedures for Applicants Whose Fingerprint Responses Expire after the Age Range during which Fingerprints are Required ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
07/20/2001
LIFE Legalization Filings (Adjustment Under Section 245A, as Modifed by the LIFE Act and Applications for Family Unity Benefits Pursuant to the LIFE Act Amendments) ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
07/18/2001
June 2001
Initial Guidance for Processing H-1B Petitions as Affected by the "American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act" (Public Law 106-313) and Related Legislation (Public Law 106-311) and (Public Law 106-396) ( PDF)
Michael D. Cronin HQPGM
06/19/2001
Travel After Filing a Request for a Change of Nonimmigrant Status ( PDF)
Thomas Cook HQPGM
06/18/2001
May 2001
Public Law 106-378, Adjustment of Status for Certain Syrian Nationals ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson, HQOPS
05/25/2001
Effect of Enactment of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 on the affidavit of support requirement under INA 212(a)(4) and 213A ( PDF)
Michael D. Cronin HQPGM Docket # USCIS-2008-0040
05/17/2001
Whether an Affidavit of Support is Required if the Alien Already has, or can be Credited With, 40 Qualifying Quarters of Coverage ( PDF)
Michael D. Cronin HQPGM
05/17/2001
April 2001
Use of State Agency Records Regarding Arrest Printouts for Naturalization Quality Procedures (NQP) Purposes ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
04/27/2001
March 2001
Parole Decision Authority ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
03/16/2001
February 2001
Implementing of Amendment to the LIFE Act Regarding Applicability of INS section 241(a)(5) (reinstatement) to NACARA 203 Beneficiaries ( PDF)
Joseph E. Langlois HQASY
02/22/2001
Changes to Section 202 of NACARA, and HRIFA Adjustment of Status under 245(i) LIFE ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
02/14/2001
Post-December 21, 2000, Procedures for Aliens Who Have Been Issued Orders of Deportation of Removal and Fall Within the Classes of Aliens Made Eligible for Adjustment Under NACARA Section 202 or HRIFA under LIFE ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
02/14/2001
January 2001
Adjustment of Status Under 245(i) and LIFE ( PDF)
Michael D. Cronin HQOPS and attachments by Robert L. Bach HQOPP
01/26/2001
Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 ( PDF)
Thomas E. Cook HQADN
01/17/2001
November 2000
Guidance on Processing Petitions for Adopted Alien Children Less Than 18 Years of Age Considered a "Child" Under the Immigration and Nationality Act Through Public Law 106-139 ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson HQADN
11/13/2000
March 2000
AFM Update - Immigrant Investor Petitions ( PDF)
Michael A. Pearson /s/ Dominica Guiterrez HQOPS (EB-5 Immigrant Investor)
03/03/2000
January 2000
INS Office of General Counsel Memo: Elian Gonzalez ( PDF)
01/03/2000
December 1998
Guidelines for Children's Asylum Claims ( PDF)
Jeff Weiss HQOIA
12/10/1998
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