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Policy Manual
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INA
8 CFR
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Book outline for Policy Manual
  • Policy Manual
    • Search
    • Updates
    • Table of Contents
    • Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures
      • Part A - Public Services
        • Chapter 1 - Purpose and Background
        • Chapter 2 - Web-Based Information
        • Chapter 3 - Forms of Assistance
        • Chapter 4 - Service Request Management Tool
        • Chapter 5 - Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions
        • Chapter 6 - Disability Accommodation Requests
        • Chapter 7 - Privacy and Confidentiality
        • Chapter 8 - Conduct in USCIS Facilities
        • Chapter 9 - Feedback, Complaints, and Reporting Misconduct
      • Part B - Submission of Benefit Requests
      • Part C - Biometrics Collection and Security Checks
      • Part D - Attorneys and Representatives
      • Part E - Adjudications
      • Part F - Motions and Appeals
      • Part G - Notice to Appear
    • Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants
    • Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole
    • Volume 4 - Refugees and Asylees
    • Volume 5 - Adoptions
    • Volume 6 - Immigrants
    • Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status
    • Volume 8 - Admissibility
    • Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief
    • Volume 10 - Employment Authorization
    • Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents
    • Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Policy Manual
  3. Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures
  4. Part A - Public Services
  5. Chapter 2 - Web-Based Information

Chapter 2 - Web-Based Information

Content navigation tabs
  • Guidance
  • Resources (2)
  • Appendices (0)
  • Updates (6)
  • History (0)

A. Website

The USCIS website (uscis.gov) provides the public with access to current information about USCIS’ work, as well as current news releases, alerts, and other updates.

The USCIS website provides the following:

  • Timely and accurate information on immigration and citizenship services and benefits offered by USCIS;

  • Easy access to forms, form instructions, agency guidance, and other information required to successfully submit applications and petitions;

  • The latest news and policy updates, including progress in support of Executive Orders;

  • Information on outreach events and efforts; and

  • Information on ways to contact USCIS.[1]

USCIS designed the website to accommodate easy navigation to highly trafficked pages directly from the home page, as well as a logical structure and search capability for easy access to all other pages.

In addition to uscis.gov, USCIS also hosts the following sub-sites:

  • myUSCIS – Allows stakeholders to explore immigration options, create an online USCIS account, locate a physician to complete medical exams, practice the civics test, and complete other tasks online

  • Citizenship Resource Center – Hosts information and resources designed to assist prospective citizens

  • USCIS Policy Manual – The agency’s centralized online repository for USCIS’ immigration policies[2]

  • InfoPass – System used by USCIS Contact Center for scheduling in-person services at domestic field offices on behalf of benefit requestors and other interested parties.

USCIS makes every effort to provide complete and accurate information on its website. USCIS does its best to update information and correct errors brought to its attention as soon as possible. Both the English language and Spanish language pages are updated at the same time, as appropriate.

B. Social Media

Social media is an informal means of communication that also connects benefit requestors and other interested parties with core information and services on the USCIS website. In this way, social media complements the USCIS website and increases USCIS’ ability to communicate with the public.

USCIS’ social media presence includes:

  • Twitter (Main and for E-Verify) – for concise information and news, usually accompanied by links back to uscis.gov

  • Facebook – for information and news, usually accompanied by links back to uscis.gov

  • YouTube – for videos

  • Instagram – for photos and informational graphics

The USCIS Office of Public Affairs (OPA) manages all USCIS social media accounts, working with various USCIS leadership and other offices to develop content. USCIS’ posts are visible to anyone with internet access.

USCIS generally uses social media to make information and services widely available to the general public, to promote transparency and accountability, and to help those seeking information or services from USCIS. USCIS posts information only after it has been appropriately approved and vetted by OPA. Only USCIS employees acting in their official capacity are authorized to post to USCIS social media sites.

Comments on USCIS’ social media channels are visible to the public. To protect their privacy, commenters should not include full names, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, case numbers, or any other private information in comments.

USCIS does not moderate user comments on its channels before posting, but reserves the right to remove any materials that pose a security risk or otherwise violate the USCIS social media policy. Any opinions expressed in comments, except as specifically noted, are those of the individual commenters and do not reflect any agency policy, endorsement, or action. USCIS does not collect or retain comments in its records.

Use of each social media site is governed by that site’s privacy policy.[3]

Footnotes


[^ 1] See the Contact Us page on USCIS’ website.

[^ 2] The USCIS Policy Manual will ultimately replace the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM), the USCIS Immigration Policy Memoranda site, and other policy repositories.

[^ 3] See the USCIS website for information on Social Media Policy.

Resources

Legal Authorities

INA 103, 8 CFR 103 - Powers and duties of the Secretary, the Under Secretary, and the Attorney General

Forms

No forms available at this time.

Other Materials

How to Use the USCIS Policy Manual Website (PDF, 2.99 MB)

Appendices

No appendices available at this time.

Updates

Technical Update - Replacing the Term “Alien”

May 11, 2021

This technical update replaces all instances of the term “alien” with “noncitizen” or other appropriate terms throughout the Policy Manual where possible, as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].

Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants

7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status

8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility

9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief

10 USCIS-PM - Volume 10 - Employment Authorization

11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents

12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization

POLICY ALERT - Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements Final Rule

September 02, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2020. This guidance becomes effective October 2, 2020. For information regarding implementation, see Appendix: 2020 Fee Rule Litigation Summary.

Read More
Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Public Services

1 USCIS-PM B - Part B - Submission of Benefit Requests

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

7 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Adjustment of Status Policies and Procedures

7 USCIS-PM F - Part F - Special Immigrant-Based (EB-4) Adjustment

7 USCIS-PM M - Part M - Asylee Adjustment

11 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Secure Identity Documents Policies and Procedures

Technical Update - Moving the Adjudicator’s Field Manual Content into the USCIS Policy Manual

May 21, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating and incorporating relevant Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) content into the USCIS Policy Manual. As that process is ongoing, USCIS has moved any remaining AFM content to its corresponding USCIS Policy Manual Part, in PDF format, until relevant AFM content has been properly incorporated into the USCIS Policy Manual. To the extent that a provision in the USCIS Policy Manual conflicts with remaining AFM content or Policy Memoranda, the updated information in the USCIS Policy Manual prevails. To find remaining AFM content, see the crosswalk (PDF, 350.49 KB) between the AFM and the Policy Manual.

Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

3 USCIS-PM - Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole

4 USCIS-PM - Volume 4 - Refugees and Asylees

5 USCIS-PM - Volume 5 - Adoptions

6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants

7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status

8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility

9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief

11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents

12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization

Technical Update - Replacing the Term “Foreign National”

October 08, 2019

This technical update replaces all instances of the term “foreign national” with “alien” throughout the Policy Manual as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].

Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants

7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status

8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility

9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief

10 USCIS-PM - Volume 10 - Employment Authorization

11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents

12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization

POLICY ALERT - USCIS Public Services

May 10, 2019

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding services USCIS provides to the public, including general administration of certain immigration benefits, online tools, and up-to-date information.

Read More
Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Public Services

POLICY ALERT - Customer Service

August 26, 2014

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance on its standards in customer service.

Read More
Affected Sections

1 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Public Services

Version History

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