Table of Changes
This Practice Manual will be updated periodically. The tables below detail the changes made to this Practice Manual since its initial publication on January 14, 2015.
The tables are arranged in reverse chronological order, with the most recent table at the top. The tables identify the section that was amended and describe the nature of the change. Sections identified in older tables may not be accurate because of subsequent amendments.
March 11, 2019
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE |
|---|---|
| 3.7(c)(1) | Deleted the following sentence: In most cases, the date of mailing will be the same as the date on the decision, but an appellant may submit evidence to establish that the mailing date was later than the decision date (e.g., through postmarks). |
| 4.1 | Deleted the following sentence: The AAO may grant a motion that meets requirements of a motion to reopen or reconsider and overcomes the basis of the prior decision. |
January 3, 2019
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE |
|---|---|
| N/A | Fixed broken link in footnote 86. |
| 2.10 | Changed reference to the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s “Fraud Prevention and Attorney Discipline Programs” webpage to the “Attorney Discipline Program” webpage and fixed the broken link. |
July 11, 2018
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE |
|---|---|
| 1.4(a), 5.2 | Deleted references to Adam Walsh Act "no risk" determinations in both sections. |
June 26, 2018
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE |
|---|---|
| 7.1(a) | Changed subheading name from “Laws” to “Legal Resources” to conform to webpage update. |
June 7, 2018
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE |
|---|---|
| 7.1(a) | Changed references to the “Laws” webpage to the “Legal Resources” webpage. |
April 18, 2018
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE |
|---|---|
| N/A | Made minor technical edits to each chapter. |
| 1.4 | Minor changes to the description of an “affected party.” |
| 1.5 | Clarified the definition of an “adopted decision.” |
| 2.1 | Updated the brief discussion of standing to address new guidance pertaining to beneficiary standing under Matter of V-S-G- Inc., Adopted Decision 2017-06 (AAO Nov. 11, 2017) and USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0152, Guidance on Notice to, and Standing for, AC21 Beneficiaries about I-140 Approvals Being Revoked After Matter of V-S-G- Inc. (PDF, 124.45 KB) (Nov. 11, 2017). |
| 2.4 | Clarified guidance to representatives on how to notify the AAO of an address change. |
| 2.10 | Updated the address of USCIS Disciplinary Counsel. |
| 3.1 | Added information on AAO non-precedent decisions and adopted decisions. |
| 3.7(a) | Revised the discussion of standing to address new guidance pertaining to beneficiary standing under Matter of V-S-G- Inc. |
| 3.8(b) | Revised the discussion on supporting evidence. |
| 3.8(c) | Revised guidance on requests to extend the deadline for submitting briefs or additional evidence. |
| 3.15(b) | Clarified the definition of an “adopted decision.” |
| 4.1 | Revised the discussion of standing at footnote 112 to address new guidance pertaining to beneficiary standing under Matter of V-S-G- Inc. |
| 4.3 | Revised the discussion of the initial requirements for a motion to reconsider. |
| 4.6(a) | Revised the discussion of standing to address new guidance pertaining to beneficiary standing under Matter of V-S-G- Inc. |
| 5.3 | Revised the discussion of standing at footnote 136 to address new guidance pertaining to beneficiary standing under Matter of V-S-G- Inc. |
| 6.1(a) | Revised the discussion of standing at footnote 140 to address new guidance pertaining to beneficiary standing under Matter of V-S-G- Inc. |
| 6.4 | Clarified guidance on notifying the AAO of an address change. |
May 5, 2016
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE |
|---|---|
| N/A | Made minor technical edits to each chapter. |
| 1.5 | Added information about adopted AAO decisions. |
| 3.4 | Clarified the explanation of the AAO's de novo standard of review. |
| 3.7(c)(1) | Clarified the explanation of the date of service for notices and decisions served by mail. |
| 3.8(b) | Added information about the AAO's acceptance of new evidence submitted on appeal. |
| 3.9 | Added a reference to USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0124, Initial Field Review of Appeals to the Administrative Appeals Office (PDF, 297.5 KB) (Nov. 4, 2015). |
| 3.13(b) | Added information about the special expedited case review process for certain types of administrative errors. |
| 3.15(b) | Added Chapter 3.15(b) to include additional information about adopted AAO decisions. |
| 3.15(d) | Added information about the AAO citation string for non-precedent decisions and identifying adopted decisions. |
| 4.1 | Updated information about the adjudication of motions to reopen and motions to reconsider. |
| 7.3(c) | Added Chapter 7.3(c) to provide guidance on submitting evidence to the AAO. |