In a White House Updates bulletin dated June 17, the National Law Review highlighted two back-to-back policy releases from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. First, USCIS published a Policy Manual update clarifying when officers may deny or return I-485 applications for missing initial evidence rather than issuing Requests for Evidence—aimed, the agency says, at cutting processing times. Second, an interim final rule effective July 10 will allow filings to be rejected after acceptance if a signature is later found invalid, expanding the current “wet-ink” requirements to electronic signatures captured outside the U.S. Adjustment-of-status applicants—particularly H-1B staff changing employers—must now front-load medical exams and job-offer letters or risk outright denial. Employers should update document checklists and remind foreign nationals that digital signatures on I-129 or I-485 forms must be verifiable back to the signatory. The stricter post-submission signature audit could expose companies to sudden loss of work authorization if a petition is reopened and denied. Immigration counsel recommend using commercial e-signature platforms that log IP addresses and maintaining offline originals for USCIS site visits. USCIS says the rules align with “identity-protection best practices” and will help fight fraud. Critics counter that genuine mistakes could leave employees stranded abroad if a denial coincides with business travel. Mobility leaders should plan conservative travel schedules around the July 10 effective date and consider premium processing to reduce exposure.
Source: National Law Review
