Do you know that an application you file with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) could be denied if you happen to make a mistake while completing it? USCIS adopted a new policy on September 11, 2018, according to which a USCIS immigration officer can deny an immigration application or petition filed with mistakes.
An application can be denied by immigration officials if any important information has been omitted or if the application has been filed without the required supporting documents. However, the policy also states, “It is not intended to penalize filers for innocent mistakes or misunderstandings of evidentiary requirements.” Applications received after September 11, 2018, are subject to being impacted by this policy change.
In the past, USCIS issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) when the immigration officers required additional supporting documents to decide on a case. This RFE which explains why and what evidence the agency requires to process the case was sent by mail. RFEs were sent when the supporting documents the applicant submitted were not sufficient to decide on a case or when the wrong evidence was sent.
RFEs were sent when there was an issue with an application filed with the agency. The previous policy encouraged doing so too. This policy has now been changed.
If your application has a problem or if you failed to submit the required supporting documents, you may not be given a chance to correct the issue. Instead, your application might be denied. However, it lies in the discretion of the immigration official who is handling your case. Innocent mistakes will not necessarily lead to the denial of an application but the immigration official processing your application is the one who will decide whether or not to deny your application for having a mistake.
Though the policy does not aim at penalizing applicants for innocent mistakes, this policy change could likely lead immigration officers to deny applications with innocent mistakes.
If your application is rejected or denied, you will face delays in gaining the immigration benefit you are applying for. You might also have to pay the filing fee again. In extreme cases, denial of an application could also result in deportation.
To avoid such circumstances, you will need to make sure you do not make mistakes while completing your application. If you have trouble completing the application by yourself, you can seek the help of an immigration attorney. However, this could cost a lot. Another option is to use reputable online software to complete your application online.
US-immigration.com provides online “do it yourself” software that helps applicants complete immigration applications online on their own. This software will guide you through a series of simple step-by-step questions. As you answer those questions, your answers will be checked for inconsistencies and you will be notified so that you can check your answers once again. US-immigration.com’s software aims at making sure you complete your application correctly.
Once you answer all the questions, you will be able to print your completed application. You will receive an application filing packet that will include filing instructions in simple language. These instructions will include the list of supporting documents you will have to submit along with your application.
If your application is completed correctly and without errors, you may not be affected by the new policy. In this case, you may not have to worry about your application being denied because of a mistake or not sending a supporting document.
US-immigration.com is not a law firm and it is a privately owned website that offers self-help immigration solutions and online do-it-yourself software. You may complete immigration applications online using US-immigration.com’s software. Before you start filling out a form, you can take the eligibility quiz to check if you are eligible to file the application. You can then complete your application if you are eligible to complete it online. Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card; Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative are some of the most common forms that one can complete online using our service.
