Opportunity
Federal Register #1615-AD18
DHS Interim Rule: Affirmative Asylum Referrals Without Interview
Buyer
Homeland Security Department
Posted
July 28, 2026
Identifier
1615-AD18
This notice announces a regulatory change by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding asylum procedures: - Government Buyer: - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - No products, services, OEMs, or vendors are being requested or mentioned - Key Details: - Interim final rule amends regulations to allow certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) without an interview - Removes the requirement for a credibility assessment in referral letters - Regulation published under RIN 1615-AD18, Docket IDs CIS No. 2851-26 and DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0199 - Aims to streamline and accelerate the asylum referral process - No procurement activity, contract, or acquisition is associated with this notice
Description
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations to allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer certain affirmative asylum applications to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) without conducting an interview. USCIS will still offer an interview prior to granting or denying asylum. The rule removes the requirement that a referral letter include an assessment of the applicant's credibility. This change aims to streamline the asylum referral process and accelerate adjudication for certain cases.