16 Sep 2021

USCIS Again Extends Temporary Final Rule Providing Interpreters at Asylum Interviews

This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 09/17/2021

"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending for a second time the effective date (for 180 days) of its temporary final rule that modified certain regulatory requirements to help ensure that USCIS may continue with affirmative asylum adjudications during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rule also provides that if a USCIS interpreter is unavailable, USCIS will either reschedule the interview and attribute the interview delay to USCIS for the purposes of the asylum employment authorization regulation, or USCIS may, in its discretion, allow the applicant to provide an interpreter. DATES: This temporary final rule is effective from September 20, 2021, through [INSERT DATE 180 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. As of September 20, 2021, the expiration date of the temporary final rule published at 85 FR 59655 (Sept. 23, 2020), which was extended at 86 FR 15072 (Mar. 22, 2021), is further extended from September 20, 2021, to [INSERT DATE 180 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]."