United States Asylum
Current rules
USCIS now has an additional asylum office location in San Antonio. Applicants should continue to follow the location and instructions stated on their individual USCIS interview notices; the opening does not automatically move every Texas asylum case to San Antonio.
Overview
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is proposing to restructure and revise its Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) health forms. This includes moving the Serious Medical Procedure Request (SMR) Form under the Medical Assessment Form and Dental Assessment Form, updating the title of OMB # 0970-0466 to 'Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Unaccompanied Alien Child Health Forms', and including provisions for sharing health information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in specific circumstances to ensure continuity of care. The changes aim to improve transparency, reduce burden, enhance data quality, and align with ORR requirements.
Who is affected by the latest change
- Affirmative asylum applicants
- Asylum applicants assigned to the San Antonio office
- Attorneys and accredited representatives
- USCIS asylum officers
What changed in the latest version
Before
Before the new office opened, people in the area went to existing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asylum offices. Some people had to travel farther for their interviews.
After
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now has another asylum office in San Antonio. Asylum applicants must continue to follow the location and instructions on their own USCIS interview notices. The opening of the San Antonio office does not automatically move every asylum case in Texas there.
This change matters for asylum applicants who live in the Houston Asylum Office's area. It means they might have their affirmative asylum interview at San Antonio, not just Houston. The main benefit is that more interviews can happen. This could mean these applicants get interviews faster. This change directly affects where applicants might need to travel for their interviews. It is important to carefully check interview notices for the correct location.
Explained simply
Imagine you've asked the government for special protection, and they need to talk to you. Now, if you live near Houston, instead of just one place to talk, there's a new second place in San Antonio where you might go. This means more people can have their talks sooner because there's more space.
Frequently asked
Version history
- v6Effective 28 May 2026EffectiveMedium impactUSCIS Opens Asylum Office in San Antonio
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opened a new asylum office in San Antonio, Texas. This change started on 28 May 2026. This means people who filed for asylum with USCIS and live in the area of the Houston Asylum Office might have their interview at either the Houston Asylum Office or the new San Antonio Asylum Office. The new office helps the Houston Asylum Office schedule and hold more affirmative asylum interviews. Asylum applicants must carefully read their interview notice to see where their interview will be.
- v5Effective 8 Jul 2026EffectiveMedium impactUSCIS Opens Asylum Office in Atlanta
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is opening a new asylum office in Atlanta. This office starts on 8 July 2026. It will interview people who apply for asylum in Georgia and Alabama. These people are called affirmative asylum applicants. At first, interviews will happen at three places: * A new temporary asylum office in Atlanta. * The USCIS Atlanta Field Office. * The USCIS Montgomery Field Office in Alabama. The Atlanta Asylum Office expects to move to a permanent building in 2027. All interviews need an appointment. Applicants must read their interview notices to learn the interview location.
- v4Effective 27 Jul 2026EffectiveHigh impactUSCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now has a new rule. This rule lets USCIS send asylum applications directly to Immigration Judges. This happens without USCIS first interviewing the person applying for asylum. This change aims to make the asylum system work faster. It also aims to stop people from using the system to cause delays or get work permits when they should not.
- v3Issued 5 Aug 2026ProposalLow impactProposed Information Collection Activity; Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Unaccompanied Alien Child Health Forms
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) wants to change its health forms for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs). An Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) is a child who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and has no legal right to be in the U.S., and has no parent or legal guardian in the U.S. available to provide care and physical custody. This plan moves the Serious Medical Procedure Request (SMR) Form into the Medical Assessment Form and Dental Assessment Form. It will also change the name of existing forms, known as OMB # 0970-0466, to 'Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Unaccompanied Alien Child Health Forms'. The plan adds rules for sharing health information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in certain cases. Sharing this information helps make sure children continue to receive care. These changes aim to make things clearer, reduce workload, improve data, and meet ORR's requirements.
- v1Effective 28 Jul 2026PublishedHigh impactAffirmative Asylum Referrals Without Interview
The Department of Homeland Security has published a rule. This rule is about sending requests for asylum directly to an immigration court without an interview. You can find the full details of this rule in the Federal Register.
- v2Effective 28 Jul 2026EffectiveHigh impactAffirmative Asylum Referrals Without Interview
The Department of Homeland Security has created a new temporary rule about affirmative asylum referrals. This rule might let some asylum claims be processed without a direct interview. This rule starts on 28 July 2026.
Timeline
Takes effect
28 Jul 2026
The new rule, an interim final rule, introduces procedures for 'Affirmative Asylum Referrals Without Interview' by the Homeland Security Department, suggesting that some asylum claims may be processed without a direct interview. The rule became effective on 28 July 2026, and comments are being accepted at Regulations.gov.
Announced
28 Jul 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has published an interim final rule (IFR) titled 'Affirmative Asylum Referrals Without Interview'. This IFR, effective 28 July 2026, introduces new procedures for processing affirmative asylum claims, which may include referrals without a direct interview. The rule is open for public comment, indicating a significant change in asylum application processing.
Announced
27 Jul 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an interim final rule to streamline the asylum system, effective immediately. This policy change allows USCIS to refer asylum applications directly to Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration Judges without first conducting an interview with the applicant. The primary goal is to reduce the significant backlog of asylum cases and ensure
Takes effect
27 Jul 2026
USCIS can now refer asylum applications directly to Immigration Judges without first interviewing the alien. This aims to shorten the total adjudication time.
Takes effect
8 Jul 2026
USCIS is opening a new asylum office in Atlanta to conduct interviews for affirmative asylum applicants in Georgia and Alabama, utilising three locations initially: a temporary Atlanta asylum office, the USCIS Atlanta Field Office, and the USCIS Montgomery Field Office.
Announced
1 Jul 2026
USCIS is establishing a new asylum office in Atlanta, effective 8 July 2026. This office will manage affirmative asylum interviews for applicants in Georgia and Alabama, utilising three distinct locations initially. This move aims to streamline the asylum interview process for individuals within its jurisdiction.
Announced
5 Jun 2026
USCIS has opened a new asylum office in San Antonio, Texas, effective 28 May 2026. This expansion aims to increase the capacity for scheduling and conducting affirmative asylum interviews for applicants residing in the Houston Asylum Office's jurisdiction. Asylum seekers may now be interviewed at either the Houston or the new San Antonio location, as indicated on their interview notice.
Takes effect
28 May 2026
Applicants residing in the Houston Asylum Office jurisdiction may be interviewed at either the Houston Asylum Office or the new San Antonio Asylum Office.
goborda provides monitoring and explanation of publicly available policy information. It is not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration professional before acting.
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