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AAO Practice Manual
 
 
Book outline for AAO Practice Manual
  • AAO Practice Manual
    • Search Practice Manual
    • Table of Contents
    • Chapter 1. The Administrative Appeals Office
    • Chapter 2. Representation of Parties before the Administrative Appeals Office
    • Chapter 3. Appeals
    • Chapter 4. Motions to Reopen and Reconsider
    • Chapter 5. Certifications to the Administrative Appeals Office
    • Chapter 6. Contacting the Administrative Appeals Office
    • Chapter 7. Resources
    • Table of Changes
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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

SECTIONDESCRIPTION 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).
4.1Deleted 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

SECTIONDESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
N/AFixed broken link in footnote 86.
2.10Changed 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

SECTIONDESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
1.4(a), 5.2Deleted references to Adam Walsh Act "no risk" determinations in both sections.

June 26, 2018

SECTIONDESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
7.1(a)Changed subheading name from “Laws” to “Legal Resources” to conform to webpage update.

June 7, 2018

SECTIONDESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
7.1(a)Changed references to the “Laws” webpage to the “Legal Resources” webpage.

April 18, 2018

SECTIONDESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
N/AMade minor technical edits to each chapter.
1.4Minor changes to the description of an “affected party.”
1.5Clarified the definition of an “adopted decision.”
2.1Updated 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).
2.4Clarified guidance to representatives on how to notify the AAO of an address change.
2.10Updated the address of USCIS Disciplinary Counsel.
3.1Added 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.”
4.1Revised the discussion of standing at footnote 112 to address new guidance pertaining to beneficiary standing under Matter of V-S-G- Inc.
4.3Revised 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.
5.3Revised 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.
6.4Clarified guidance on notifying the AAO of an address change.

May 5, 2016

SECTIONDESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
N/AMade minor technical edits to each chapter.
1.5Added information about adopted AAO decisions.
3.4Clarified 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.
3.9Added 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.
4.1Updated 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.
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Last Reviewed/Updated: 03/11/2019
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