On September 28, 2017, the Office of the USCIS Ombudsman held a teleconference concerning the phase in of the now mandatory interview requirement for all employment based adjustment-of-status (“green card”) applications. Dan Renaud, Associate Director of USCIS Field Operations Directorate, provided an overview of how the interviews will be rolled out nationwide beginning today, October 2, 2017. Important items discussed on the teleconference included:
- All adjustment-of-status applications (based on an employment-based I-140 petition) filed on or after March 6, 2017 (the date of Executive Order 13780) will be subject to an interview.
- Both the principal applicant and dependents will be required to appear for an interview. USCIS will try to schedule family groups together. Although, if applications are filed at separate times and/or a family member requires additional screening/processing, the interviews may be scheduled at separate times. Children under the age of 14 may be eligible for a waiver of this interview requirement.
- The Field Officers will not be re-adjudicating the approved I-140. However, the Officers will be assessing the credibility of the documents used to support the I-140.
- The questions at the interview will focus on the content of the adjustment-of-status application forms. This will likely include questions about work history, educational background, and future employment plans.
