Federal Register #USCIS-2026-0166

DHS Rule Clarifying Signature Requirements for Immigration Benefit Requests

This notice from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces a regulatory update regarding immigration benefit request signatures: - Government Buyer: - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - No OEMs or commercial vendors are referenced; this is a regulatory action, not a procurement. - No products, part numbers, or service quantities are requested. - Key Regulatory Details: - Clarifies that USCIS may reject or deny immigration benefit requests lacking valid signatures, even after initial acceptance. - No changes to application fees or fee waiver criteria. - Addresses challenges in identifying invalid signatures at intake. - Exceptions noted for certain forms (e.g., Form N-600, N-600K). - Public comments are requested on the rule. - No procurement or acquisition activity is involved in this notice.

Description

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations governing the submission of benefit requests to provide that if U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accepts a benefit request and later determines it lacks a valid signature, USCIS may reject or deny the request at its discretion. This interim final rule clarifies USCIS procedures related to the rejection or denial of benefit requests that do not meet regulatory signature requirements to ensure better enforcement. The rule is effective July 10, 2026, and comments are requested by that date. The rule does not change application fees or fee waiver criteria.

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