USCIS Implements Stricter Rules for Visa and Green Card Applications

USCIS announced a policy change effective August 5, 2026, allowing officers to outright deny immigration applications that are incomplete or lack mandatory supporting evidence without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE).

The agency stated the move aims to improve processing efficiency and discourage 'frivolous' filings, reversing a Biden-era policy that encouraged officers to request missing documentation before rejecting cases.

Former advisor Ajay Bhutoria criticized the policy as a 'major step backwards' for due process, warning it will disproportionately impact genuine applicants who make minor clerical errors.