04/20/2025
N400 Interviews – AILA members have consistently reported that, in the last month, USCIS Immigration Services Officers now ask every single question for Part 9 (“Additional Information About You”) of Form N-400during the interview. Anecdotal reports from various AILA attorneys across the country reveal USCIS headquarters issued this mandate to field offices. It is recommended that members prepare themselves and their clients accordingly.
Reduction or Elimination of Interview Waivers – Various offices now require interviews for all family-based adjustment of status cases with a pending Form I-130. Some also report that USCIS now requires interviews for employment-based Form I-485, along with cancellations of interview waiver appointments. Set expectations early with clients regarding the possibilities of being scheduled for an interview, regardless of their criminal or immigration history.
Stokes (Fraud) Interviews for Spousal Cases – Members in Phoenix, AZ and Seattle, WA are reporting that ISOs at these field offices are commencing all initial, marriage-based adjustment of status interviews by separating the petitioner and beneficiary and interviewing them separately (“aka” Stokes Interview). The frequency of Stokes interviews has also increased across other field offices. Only the San Jose Field Office (Northern CA) has confirmed that no Stokes interviews are occurring.
