Refugees and asylees must have been physically present in the United States for one year when the government resolves their requests for permanent residence, and not when they filed their applications, said the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
The implemented measure applies to all orders pending as of February 2 and to those submitted on or after this date, the agency clarified.
“If we cannot determine whether an applicant meets the one-year physical presence requirement from a review of their documents or our records when we adjudicate the case, we may request additional evidence,” the USCIS statement added.
The rule update also clarifies that asylees and refugees who apply for adjustment of status, and who have been admitted to the country as nonimmigrants “do not need to meet the two-year requirement to adjust their status.”
“This update will promote consistency in adjustment of status applications for asylees and refugees,” USCIS said.
In fiscal 2021, the United States accepted 11,411 refugees, the lowest number since the resettlement program began in 1980. During fiscal 2022, 25,465 refugees were resettled, well below the quota of 125,000 that the government had announced.
With information from EFE
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