DHS removes interview requirements for spouses and children of refugees

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has removed an interview requirement for spouses and children of refugees or asylum seekers who want to come to the US.

The Biden administration said the interview process was “inconsistent” with Biden’s attempt to make a more inclusive immigration system. The policy “imposed significant burdens on refugee and asylee populations,” said a statement released by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) last week.

USCIS says it will still conduct interviews, but only when it is needed and on a case-by-case basis.

“USCIS can perform robust fraud and security screenings and maintain strong program integrity without this blanket interview policy. In addition, USCIS reserves its authority to interview any petitioner where USCIS determines there is a need to do so,” said USCIS.

The new policy apples to refugees who seek humanitarian protection from outside the U.S., and asylees who seek protection from within the U.S.

An individual who has been admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or with an asylum status can file a Form I-730 petition on behalf of a spouse or a child to get their derivative refugee or asylee status.

“They do not have to qualify independently as principal asylees or refugees, but they must meet the requirements for the relationship to the petitioner and must qualify under all other applicable eligibility criteria, including those related to criminal and security grounds,” informs USCIS.

The interview requirement policy was established in November 2020, under the Trump administration.