( A: \$ O/ A' z) ~; s! QUSCIS Clarifies Physical Presence Guidance for Asylees and Refugees Applying for Adjustment of Status L$ L. E* q6 r/ n) W
; Q: G- l4 X; x0 J( @, S$ I6 CRelease Date
+ Z2 X$ \( F6 v6 w r) L02/02/2023
0 \% N/ I r& Q6 M0 T, M% o& ]8 {+ aEffective immediately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that both asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the United States for one year when we adjudicate their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, rather than at the time they file their adjustment of status application. This applies to all Form I-485 and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, applications pending on Feb. 2, 2023, and those filed on or after that date.
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( u( c8 B% v8 z1 U6 e/ \7 n7 l+ jThis update will promote consistency across asylee and refugee adjustment of status applications. If we cannot determine whether an applicant satisfies the one-year physical presence requirement by reviewing their file or our records when we adjudicate their Form I-485, we may request additional evidence.' y: o7 f: F* l
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