The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) expressed serious concerns about recent reports indicating that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has ordered a sweeping review and potential reinterview of over 200,000 refugees, alone with cease in processing their applications for permanent residence. USCRI calls on the government to overturn this policy and uphold the United States’ commitment to refugee programs in the interest of humanitarian service and in honor of the nation’s ethos as a land of freedom and opportunity. The USCRI, established in 1911, is a non-profit entity devoted to immigrants and refugees, helping them in their transition toward a dignified life.
The concern lies with the possibility of this reinterview process potentially disrupting the lives of refugees who have been striving for a stable existence in the U.S. and have been meticulously vetted for safety and security. USCRI President and CEO, Eskinder Negash, has voiced out the predicaments of such a policy, noting the fear and uncertainty already spreading among those affected. Alarmingly, this action might derail years of successful integration, put refugees’ legal residence and employment at risk, and undermine the dignity and stability they have worked hard to achieve.
Meanwhile, the Manual Release for asylum applicants, torture victims, and victims of trafficking and serious crimes has been updated. The release updates eligibility criteria and introduces new procedures and policies, including those on processing cases in the Integrated Eligibility System (IES), clarifications on state and federally funded medical coverage, and guidelines for “Derivative Family Members” (DFM) for VTTC cases and verification of AATV/VTTC status.
The updated policy includes several updated eligibility guidelines, particularly for VTTC benefits in Illinois and adjustments related to changes in legislation as of June 5, 2024. The amendments primarily alter single adult applicants’ VTTC eligibility, now necessitating a child or other family member derivative, along with having filed for a T or U Visa, or asylum.
Moreover, the release contains guidelines for validating a person’s application for T or U Visas, or asylum, requiring documentation such as USCIS Form I-797 Notice of Action, copies of filed visa applications, or other credible evidence like documentation from social services or legal professionals.
The release concluded with signatures of two officials, Dulce M. Quintero of the Illinois Department of Human Services, and Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
1. The October 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released, providing a lot of movement for those in the queue for a green card. The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin is responsible for guiding the pace of green card processing, with two groups in focus: Group one, where one’s priority date has just become current under the Dates for Filing chart, and Group Two, whose I-485 is pending and who’s priority date is becoming current under the Final Action Dates chart. It is essential that both groups adequately prepare to accelerate their trajectories and to block setbacks. The bulletin also details the two main charts – Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates. In other EB news, people have been using an F2A strategy for family-based applications.
2. Various developments in immigration have occurred recently. Following a court order, the State Department resumed F, M, and J visa applications for Harvard University students, who were previously denied under a Trump-era proclamation. The validity of medical exams for green card applications has been updated, with Form I-693 only being valid while the associated application is pending. Undocumented individuals who self-deport using the CBP One Home App will have civil fines patiently waived. Also, new and returning student visa applicants will be screened for their online presence, including social media, where officers will look for signs of hostility toward the U.S., political activism, or terrorist support.
3. The Trump administration has altered green card requirements with immediate effect. Notably, there is a crucial change that will necessitate the filling out of a renewed medical examination form for every new permanent residency application. This rule applies to every I-485 model, whether new or already pending, and if an I-485 application is pending without a joined I-693 form filed, USCIS will reject the application. This rule change causes confusion and potentially more expensive processing as thorough medical exams are not inexpensive.
