Effective May 18, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a significant procedural change affecting how attorneys and accredited representatives may appear at certain immigration interviews.
Under this updated policy, attorneys and accredited representatives will no longer be permitted to participate remotely in most interviews conducted at USCIS field offices, as well as in affirmative asylum and NACARA 203 interviews at asylum offices, except in limited circumstances. Instead, legal representatives must now be physically present to attend these interviews.
This change is important for applicants, families, employers, and legal representatives alike. Proper planning will be essential to avoid delays, rescheduling issues, or unnecessary stress in the interview process.
What Is Changing?
As of May 18, 2026, USCIS will no longer allow remote attorney or accredited representative participation in the following interview settings:
- Interviews at USCIS field offices
- Affirmative asylum interviews
- NACARA 203 interviews at asylum offices
With only limited exceptions, legal representatives must now appear in person to attend these interviews with their clients.
Who Does This Affect?
This procedural update affects a wide range of immigration applicants and petitioners, including individuals attending interviews for:
- Adjustment of Status (Green Card) applications
- Family-based immigration benefits
- Employment-based immigration benefits
- Affirmative asylum applications
- NACARA 203 cases
It also directly affects attorneys and accredited representatives who previously relied on remote attendance to represent clients in different cities, states, or regions.
Why This Change Matters
For many applicants, legal representation during a USCIS interview provides an important layer of support and protection. Requiring in-person attendance may create new logistical and financial burdens, especially when an attorney is located far from the interview site.
This change may lead to:
- Increased travel planning for attorneys and clients
- Additional legal costs in some cases
- Potential rescheduling if counsel cannot appear in person
- A greater need for advanced interview preparation
Applicants should not assume that remote participation will be available. Unless USCIS specifically grants a limited exception, the safest approach is to prepare for in-person attendance by an attorney.
Limited Exceptions May Apply
USCIS has stated that remote participation may still be permitted in limited circumstances. However, the agency has not provided broad public guidance detailing when those exceptions will apply or how frequently they will be granted. Until USCIS offers more specific clarification, applicants and representatives should plan on the basis that in-person attendance is required.
USCIS Field Offices Remain Appointment Only
USCIS has also reaffirmed that field offices do not allow walk-ins. Anyone seeking to visit a field office must have a scheduled appointment. This is an important reminder for applicants who may need in-person assistance beyond an interview date. Arriving at a field office without an appointment may result in being turned away.
What USCIS Field Offices Handle
USCIS field offices in the United States and its territories provide a variety of important in-person services, including:
- Interviews for non-asylum cases, such as Green Card interviews
- Naturalization ceremonies
- Appointments for information and applicant services that supplement what USCIS provides online and by phone
These in-person services are often used for case-specific matters that require direct assistance and cannot be fully resolved through the USCIS website or Contact Center.
Practical Tips for Applicants and Attorneys
If you have a USCIS interview scheduled on or after May 18, 2026, consider taking the following steps:
- Confirm attorney availability early. Make sure your legal representative can attend in person.
- Review your notice carefully. Pay close attention to the date, time, and location of your interview.
- Plan travel in advance. Delays in travel arrangements could affect timely attendance.
- Prepare your documents thoroughly. Bring all required originals and supporting evidence.
- Do not appear without an appointment. USCIS field offices are strictly appointment-only.
Advance preparation will be especially important now that remote representation is no longer generally permitted.
Final Thoughts
USCIS’s new policy marks a meaningful procedural shift in how immigration interviews will be handled going forward. By requiring attorneys and accredited representatives to appear in person, the agency is eliminating a level of flexibility that many applicants and law firms had come to rely on. For those with pending or upcoming interviews, the key takeaway is simple: plan ahead. Make sure your attorney is prepared to attend in person, confirm that you have all necessary documentation, and remember that USCIS field offices are available by appointment only.
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JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
