The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide clarity on the consideration of expedite requests, particularly concerning government interests and emergency or urgent humanitarian situations, including travel-related requests. The updated guidance also outlines the process for making expedite requests and details the procedures for their processing.
Government Interests
The updated policy specifies that USCIS may expedite cases flagged as urgent by various levels of government within the United States, including federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local entities. Such cases are prioritized when they involve public interest, public safety, national interest, or national security concerns. Additionally, when a federal government agency or department requests an expedite based on government interests, USCIS generally defers to their assessment.
Travel-Related Requests
For individuals in the United States requiring expedited processing of Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, USCIS will consider requests for pressing or critical travel needs, whether for unplanned or planned events like professional, academic, or personal commitments. Considerations include whether the applicant submitted Form I-131 in a timely manner and if processing times would impede the issuance of the travel document by the planned departure date.
Submission and Processing of Expedite Requests
The updated guidance elaborates on the procedure for submitting expedite requests, including the utilization of USCIS online tools with secure messaging for request submission and evidence upload. USCIS assures timely responses to benefit requestors who submit their expedite requests through the USCIS Contact Center, informing them promptly once a decision has been made.
This revised guidance is effective immediately, superseding any prior related directives, and serves as the authoritative source for expedite request procedures within USCIS operations.
Source: USCIS
