Policy Manual for Comment

Policy for Review

USCIS seeks your input on the USCIS Policy Manual items listed below.  Sections of the USCIS Policy Manual that contain new or revised policy guidance will be posted on the Feedback Opportunities page of uscis.gov with instructions on how to submit comments. These documents are interim guidance to USCIS Field Offices and Service Centers.

Comment Submission Process
Please email all comments to opefeedback@uscis.dhs.gov.  Please include the following to make your comments clear:

• State the title of the relevant volume and section in the subject line of your message;
• Refer to a specific portion of the document; 
• Explain the reason for any recommended change; and 
• Include data, information, or authority that supports the recommendation.

You must submit your comments before the closing date noted in the table above. USCIS may distribute any comments received (including any personal information and contact information) on its public website or to those who request copies. By providing comments, you consent to their use and consideration by USCIS, and you acknowledge that your comments may become public.

Background and Additional Legal Information

In April 2010, USCIS embarked on an unprecedented and comprehensive initiative to examine the agency’s adjudication and customer service guidance and policies. This policy review effort was completed with participation of the USCIS workforce, federal partners, our customers and stakeholders, and the general public.

USCIS has now published a new online USCIS Policy Manual which will serve as a centralized resource for all agency policy and operational guidance. The Policy Manual will be published in iterations, with content  being added periodically.  Sections of the USCIS Policy Manual that contain new or revised policy guidance will be posted on the Feedback Opportunities page of uscis.gov with instructions on how to submit comments. The Policy Manual will ultimately replace the Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM), agency policy memoranda, and other guidance documents.

As part of the agency’s commitment to achieving transparency and consistency in the implementation of policy, USCIS invites stakeholders to examine and provide feedback on new or updated policies in the Policy Manual.

Policy guidance documents are available for public review on USCIS's website (www.uscis.gov) as part of the USCIS Policy Manual. USCIS will post certain sections that contain new or revised policies for public comment.  USCIS will not post sections containing information that is law enforcement sensitive, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. USCIS is not required to solicit public comment on the draft or interim policy memos under the Administrative Procedure Act and therefore cannot guarantee that it will respond to any comments submitted. This informal comment process does not replace any statutory or other legal requirement for public comment on agency action.