USCIS Final Rule: Notices of Decisions and Documents Evidencing Lawful Status

"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations governing when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue correspondence, notices of decisions, and documents evidencing lawful status in the United States to an applicant, petitioner, attorney, or accredited representative. Specifically, this final rule explains how USCIS will issue requests, notices, cards, and original documents to applicants, petitioners, and their attorneys or accredited representatives of record. This final rule also amends the regulations to allow represented applicants to specifically consent to and request that any notices, decisions, and secure identity documents be sent solely to the official business address of the applicants’ attorney or accredited representative, as reflected on a properly executed Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative. Further, through this final rule, DHS clarifies USCIS notification practices relating to represented parties. These changes will conform USCIS notice procedures to account for the full range of stakeholder norms, including industry preferences, in response to stakeholder comments. DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective on January 27, 2015. Comment Date: Written comments on the final rule must be submitted on or before December 29, 2014. Written comments on the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) section of this final rule (regarding the revisions to the Form G– 28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative and Form G–28I, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney in Matters Outside the Geographic Confines of the United States) must be submitted on or before November 28, 2014." - Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 209 / Wednesday, October 29, 2014.