Chapter 6 - Post-Adjudicative Matters

us-uscis-policy-manual-volume-3-part-d-chapter-6Chapter 6 - Post-Adjudicative MattersGuidance

A. Revocations

USCIS may revoke the approval of a self-petition with notice to the self-petitioner if, at any time prior to adjustment of status or consular processing, USCIS becomes aware of information that constitutes “good and sufficient cause” warranting revocation.[1] Examples of reasons why the approval of a self-petition may be revoked may include, but are not limited to:

  • The self-petitioner is no longer a person of good moral character; or
  • The self-petitioner was not eligible for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) classification at the time of filing or adjudication.

Unless the revocation is an automatic revocation,[2] USCIS must provide self-petitioners with notice of the intent to revoke the approval of the self-petition and provide them an opportunity to respond.[3]

If USCIS decides to revoke the approval of the self-petition following consideration of the response, the officer must provide written notification of the decision explaining the specific reasons for the revocation.[4] The self-petitioner may appeal the decision to revoke the approval within 15 calendar days after service of the notice of the revocation or 18 days if the decision was sent by mail.[5]

Officers must keep in mind the 8 U.S.C. 1367 confidentiality provisions preventing USCIS from making an adverse determination regarding of admissibility or deportability using information provided solely by an abuser, a family member of the abuser living in the same household, or someone acting on the abuser’s behalf, as well as the prohibition on the unauthorized disclosure of information related to a protected person, including acknowledgment that a self-petition exists.[6]

B. Appeals, Motions to Reopen, and Motions to Reconsider

If USCIS denies a Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360), and a self-petitioner disagrees with the decision or has additional evidence to show the decision was incorrect, the self-petitioner may file an appeal, a motion to reopen, or a motion to reconsider by submitting a Notice of Appeal or Motion (Form I-290B).[7]

Footnotes


[^ 1] See INA 205. See 8 CFR 205.1(a) and 8 CFR 205.2(a).

[^ 2] See 8 CFR 205.1(a).

[^ 3] See 8 CFR 205.2(b).

[^ 4] See 8 CFR 205.2(c).

[^ 5] See 8 CFR 205.2(d) and 8 CFR 103.8(b). Self-petitioners may appeal the decision to revoke the self-petition by filing a Notice of Appeal or Motion (Form I-290B).

[^ 6] See 8 U.S.C. 1367(a)(1)-(2). For additional information, see Volume 1, General Policies and Procedures, Part A, Public Services, Chapter 7, Privacy and Confidentiality, Section E, VAWA, T, and U Cases [1 USCIS-PM A.7(E)].

[^ 7] See 8 CFR 103.3 and 8 CFR 103.5.

Resources

Legal Authorities

8 CFR 1.2 - Definitions

8 CFR 204.2 - Petitions for relatives, widows and widowers, and abused spouses and children

8 U.S.C. 1367 - Penalties for disclosure of information

INA 101(a)(13)(B) - Definitions

INA 101(a)(51) - Definition of VAWA self-petitioner

INA 204, 8 CFR 204 - Procedure for granting immigrant status

Appendices

No appendices available at this time.

Updates

POLICY ALERT - Violence Against Women Act

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify policies and requirements for aliens seeking classification as a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner.

Read More
Technical Update - Replacing the Term "Noncitizen"

This technical update replaces all instances of the term “noncitizen” with “alien” or other appropriate terms throughout the Policy Manual where possible, as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”], and makes other technical and conforming changes.

POLICY ALERT - Violence Against Women Act Self-Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is publishing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual addressing Violence Against Women Act Self-Petitions.

Read More
Technical Update - Moving the Adjudicator’s Field Manual Content into the USCIS Policy Manual

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating and incorporating relevant Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) content into the USCIS Policy Manual. As that process is ongoing, USCIS has moved any remaining AFM content to its corresponding USCIS Policy Manual Part, in PDF format, until relevant AFM content has been properly incorporated into the USCIS Policy Manual. To the extent that a provision in the USCIS Policy Manual conflicts with remaining AFM content or Policy Memoranda, the updated information in the USCIS Policy Manual prevails. To find remaining AFM content, see the crosswalk between the AFM and the Policy Manual.

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