USCIS Tightens Interview Requirements for Asylees and Refugees Applying for Green Cards Who’s Identities Cannot be Confirmed Remotely

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has re-established  a uniform baseline for screening and vetting standards and is clarifying the interview criteria for Green Card (adjustment of status) applications filed by aliens who are refugees, asylees, or their derivative family members.

Effective immediately, this update is aimed at strengthening vetting standards, detecting fraud or misrepresentation, and aligning the agency’s operations with Executive Order 14161, which focuses on protecting the U.S. from terrorism and national security threats.

What’s Changing — And Why?

USCIS is not introducing a brand-new policy but rather reaffirming and tightening existing standards for interviews. In other words, applicants who might have previously received waivers for interviews may now find themselves subject to in-person scrutiny.

This new direction reflects an increasing emphasis on national security and program integrity, a trend we’ve seen growing since President Trump took office in January 2025.

When Will an Interview Be Required?

Under this updated guidance, interviews will now be more likely for asylees and refugees applying for permanent residence if any of the following apply:

• Identity Issues: If an officer cannot verify the applicant’s identity through information in the A-File, other USCIS records and systems, or other agency records or background checks; the applicant is claiming a new identity; or the applicant has unresolved or conflicting or multiple identities, other than those properly documented by legal name changes;
• Questionable Refugee/Asylee Status: If the record lacks clarity or suggests the applicant may have obtained their status through fraud or misrepresentation;
• Criminal Background Concerns: If the applicant’s FBI fingerprint checks show a record that the applicant may be inadmissible or if repeated unreadable results occur;
• Admissibility Questions: If the applicant’s admissibility to the U.S. is unclear or an interview could clarify open questions;
• Ties to Terrorist States: If the applicant is a citizen of, or previously resided in, a country designated either as a state sponsor of terrorism or is currently at war; or
• National Security Flags: If the applicant has an articulable concern regarding national security or regarding a terrorism-related ground of inadmissibility.

What This Means for Applicants

In practice, this policy will increase the likelihood of mandatory interviews for certain categories of asylees and refugees. While this does not automatically mean denial or punitive action, it can mean:

• Longer Processing Times: Interviews require scheduling, attendance, and adjudication, which can delay green card approvals.
• Higher Scrutiny: Applicants should expect to provide thorough documentation and may be asked to clarify inconsistencies, explain background records, or answer in-depth questions about their history.
• Increased Legal Importance: Having competent legal counsel is now more important than ever. Missteps during an interview — even unintentional ones — can have serious immigration consequences.

Our Advice to Asylees and Refugees Applying for Adjustment of Status

1. Be Proactive: Review your records now. Make sure your documents are consistent and complete.
2. Prepare for the Possibility of an Interview: Don’t assume your case will be waived. Start preparing your testimony and documentation.
3. Don’t Go It Alone: Legal representation at your interview can make a significant difference in how your case is perceived and handled.
4. Be Honest and Transparent: If there are past inconsistencies or red flags, disclose them to your attorney and be ready to explain them clearly and truthfully.

Final Thoughts from Canadian Law Group

This policy update signals a more cautious and scrutinizing approach by USCIS — but it also reinforces the importance of thorough case preparation and legal support.

At Canadian Law Group, we closely monitor USCIS developments and advise clients on how new USCIS policies may affect current or future petitions for immigrant and non-immigrant visas.