USCIS Issues Policy Alert on Evidence, RFEs, and NOIDs

USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-05) updating Policy Manual guidance on evidentiary standards, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs). Among other changes, officers now have full discretion to deny benefit requests with missing or insufficient initial evidence without first issuing RFEs or NOIDs. Feedback is due 9/7/26.