USRAP Processing Guide 04: USCIS PDF

Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USRAP Processing Guide 04: USCIS Effective: May 31, 2024 Version: 3.7 Approved By: Nicole Patel Summary: This Processin...

Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USRAP Processing Guide 04: USCIS Effective: May 31, 2024 Version: 3.7 Approved By: Nicole Patel Summary: This Processing Guide provides standard operating procedures for U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) refugee case processing using the START case management system, in compliance with Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and Refugee Processing Center (RPC) policies and requirements. USRAP Processing Guides are for Resettlement Support Center (RSC) use only and are not for further or public distribution. Any information sharing is governed by specific limitations and requirements in the cooperative agreements, the Memorandum of Understanding with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the USRAP Integrity & Compliance Guide. Direct requests to forward this Guide outside your organization, including to your subsidiaries, to the PRM Program Officer. Do not share this guidance outside your organization without written approval by PRM. Report suspected instances of fraud to the PRM/A Fraud Prevention and Integrity Team (FPIT), PRM Refugee Coordinator (RefCoord), USCIS Desk Officer, and Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS/USCIS) immediately. For further guidance, refer to the USRAP Integrity & Compliance Guide. Note: Red text indicates updated information. Text with dotted lines on the right-hand side indicate guidance specific to particular RSCs. Target Audience: START Users with the Caseworker and Schedule Manager User Roles Topics: 1.0 Introduction 5 2.0 RSC and USCIS Coordination 5 2.1 PRM and USCIS Case Management Systems 5 2.2 Digital Case Files 7 3.0 RAVU 8 4.0 Prepare for the USCIS Interview 8 4.1 USCIS Case Review Task: Prerequisites for USCIS Interview 8 4.2 Prepare the Case File 12 4.3 Scheduling a Case for USCIS Appointment 13 4.4 RSC LA: Contacting Applicants for USCIS Interview 16 5.0 Collection of Travel Fingerprints 17 6.0 USCIS Interview 19 [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 6.1 Start the Schedule 20 6.2 USCIS Interview Applicant Task 21 6.3 RSC Actions after USCIS Interview 21 7.0 USCIS Recommended Decisions and Final Decisions 30 7.1 USCIS Result in START 31 7.2 USCIS Adjudicative Hold Task 37 7.3 I-602 Waivers 45 7.4 Split Decisions 51 7.5 USCIS Decision Letters 53 8.0 Request for Review (RFR) of Denied Cases 59 9.0 New Information Received after USCIS Interview & Reinterview 65 10.0 Other USCIS Case Processing 69 10.1 USCIS-specific Action Items (START initiated) 69 10.2 A-Number Consolidation 72 10.3 CLASS Hit Adjudications: USCIS Hit Review 72 10.4 Adding New Derivatives to a Case (previously known as Add-On Baby/Other) 73 10.5 Remote Adjudication for RE-1 Newborn Grandchild 77 11.0 Post-USCIS Interview (Non-Denial) Case or Application Closure 79 11.1 Withdrawal 81 11.2 Abandonment 85 11.3 Death 89 11.4 No Special Humanitarian Concern - Access 92 11.5 Request to Reopen after USCIS Closure (non-Denial) 93 11.6 File and Case Management 94 12.0 Moving Applicants - Post USCIS 95 13.0 Next Steps 97 Appendix A: RSC-USCIS Communication 98 Circuit Ride Preparation 98 Additional Reporting 100 Appendix B: Applicant Announcements 102 Office Health Protocol 102 Interview Results 102 Today (General) 102 Case Review 103 U.S. Tie 103 Contact Information 104 RSC Premises and Waiting Area 104 Questions 104 Communication with RSC: 104 Appendix C: USCIS VTEL Interviews 105 [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Eligibility 105 RSC Staffing Needs 105 Scheduling Cases for VTEL Interview 105 Refugee Video Interview Check In Process 105 Interview Procedures 108 IT Support 109 Setting up VTEL Interview Room 110 VTEL Handling physical case files and collecting required signatures 111 During VTEL 112 After VTEL 113 RSC Eurasia Additional Processes 113 Appendix D: USCIS Interview & Signatures 117 Appendix E: Post-Adjudication Follow-Up Questions 122 Case scenarios where additional follow up is needed 123 Collecting the Post Adjudication Follow-Up Information 124 Appendix F: USCIS Decision Reasons 126 Appendix G: USCIS Decision Documents 129 Appendix H: New Derivatives Post-USCIS Interview – Newborn/Child under the Age of Five 130 RSC TuME Processes 133 RSC Africa Processes 133 Appendix I: Decision Letter Distribution 135 RSC Africa Processes 135 Appendix J: USCIS Case Review Checklist 137 Appendix K: USCIS Scheduling Checklist 145 Appendix L: Scanning and Preparation of Denied or Closed Cases 146 Appendix M: Decision Letter Prepared Communication 148 RSC Asia Procedures 148 Appendix N: Split Decision Counseling 151 Appendix O: I-602 Waiver Counseling Prior to Decision on I-590 153 Appendix P: Case File Handling Procedures 154 Appendix Q: Counseling for Resettlement or Travel Case Groups with Mixed USCIS Decisions 155 Appendix R: RSC Eurasia USCIS Request for Review Response Processes 156 Appendix S: RSC Eurasia USCIS Circuit Ride 159 Preparations before USCIS starts 160 Appendix T: RSC Eurasia Sample In-Briefing Script for USCIS Team 162 Appendix U: RSC Eurasia—USCIS Decision Update in START QC Checklist 166 Appendix V: RSC TuME – Pre & Post USCIS documentation QC 168 Appendix W: RSC LA USCIS Field Preparation 170 Appendix X: USCIS Record of Changes 173 [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Appendix Y: START to Global Outbound Payload Fields 178 Appendix Z: RSC Asia USCIS Post-Update Checklist (In-Person-Initial) 185 [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 1.0 Introduction The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (USCIS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) International and Refugee Affairs Division (IRAD) determines eligibility of refugee applicants for resettlement to the United States. This involves conducting case review, Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS) Hit Adjudication, reviewing family relationships (including Refugee Access Verification Unit [RAVU]), the USCIS Interview(s), and other case processing tasks. The USCIS Interview is the second interview in the USRAP process after the PreScreen Interview. The USCIS Interview is a meeting between applicants and a USCIS officer. The USCIS officer reviews the case. 2.0 RSC and USCIS Coordination USCIS Officers do not have the authority to request changes to RSC operational procedures without PRM approval. Direct USCIS Officers to PRM Refugee Coordinators and Program Officers for review of any requests that do not align with this Guide. RefCoord and Program Officers should consult RPC before approving operational changes due to potential system and other impacts for USRAP partners. RPC will document changes in future updates to this guide. 2.1 PRM and USCIS Case Management Systems USCIS officers do not have access to START. USCIS maintains a separate system of record for refugee case processing, called “Global.” START transmits necessary case information (see below) directly to Global. START transmits all types of cases to USCIS except Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) processed by RSC and RPC, and Amerasians, and Refugee Follow-to-Join (FTJ-R) cases processed by the RPC. While Global contains information about FTJ-R cases processed by RSC Africa and RSC MENA (CAS), the USCIS system of record for FTJ-R cases is CAMINO. Finally, another USCIS system, ELIS, is the system which contains electronic Record of Proceedings (eROP) (i.e. electronic A-files) for cases which are eligible to have an electronic A-File. The transmission from START to Global begins when an RSC caseworker clicks the “Send Data to USCIS” link under the USCIS Data Transfer Case Task during the Acceptance to Program Processing Stage (see the Acceptance to Program Processing Guide). RSC clicks the button after Case Creation (and after PRM authorization is received) and only needs to be clicked once. Thereafter, START regularly and automatically transmits case and applicant information and documents to Global, including when the I- 590 is generated. Sharing data from START to Global at the Acceptance to Program Processing Stage enables USCIS to initiate case pre-review, when required. START displays a blue banner stating that the system is processing your request when the "Send Note Data to USCIS“ link is clicked. START sends the following information to Global: [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Case Number RSC Urgency Case Status Case Availability & Availability status date Case Information (All Case and Applicant Tabs, Case size) Requested by USCIS Case Group Information Travel Case Group Type All information included on the I-590 Applicant Photo Applicant and Family Tree Member Biodata, including Anchor information for P-2 CAM and P-3 AOR cases Arrival date Amcit/LPR designation Case and Applicant-level Tasks & Statuses o No Activity Log information Action Items & Statuses Schedule Information o Schedule Type (i.e., USCIS Interview, USCIS Admin, Travel Fingerprints, Call Backs, USCIS reinterview) Applicant-Level Comment Category: Notes to USCIS All Supporting Documents that RSC has generated or uploaded into START, such as: o Decision Letters for applicant o Annotated I-590 for each applicant (if applicable; for new derivatives added after the initial USCIS interview)1 Global’s Case Contents page does not display supporting documents sent from START in a Draft state. For cases that have already had their data sent to USCIS that receive an upload Note of a new Draft document, RSCs will review these Draft records, select the appropriate Document Type, and click submit. Global transmits certain information back to START, including RAVU Results (please reference the P-2 CAM and P-3 AOR Processing Guide), USCIS Results, and supporting documents (USCIS Decision Letters, USCIS Record of Decision) at time of the decision. For a detailed list of fields included in the START outbound payload sent to Global, see this appendix. There should be decreased emails between RSCs and USCIS due to the START-Global transition (i.e., the existence of the Notes to USCIS comment category and USCIS Action Note Items’ Activity Log comments). RSC should document any email communications from USCIS by uploading and saving in the Supporting Documents tab for the relevant case Global does not display RE codes for applicants in a case; however, Global does display sequence 1 In the future, USCIS will be able to generate the Form I-590 from Global. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 numbers on the case details tab. When referring to a specific applicant while communicating with USCIS officers, RSCs can identify the applicant using the case number and the sequence number or relationship (PA, spouse, or child). For children, RSCs should also include the birth date. If there are twins in a case, include a third data point (i.e., first name). 2.2 Digital Case Files The digital case file is the official record for all refugee applicant information and records. USCIS has transitioned RSCs to electronic Record of Proceedings (eROP), in which the official record is the electronic record. For non-eROP cases (e.g. FTJ-R cases) maintaining the physical case file and digital case information in START is critical for correct USCIS case processing. For eROP cases, maintaining the digital case information is critical. USCIS forms do not require “wet” ink on paper – all forms may be signed electronically/ collected digitally. This includes an applicant’s original signature, that is later photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced (including a picture of the document), as well as an applicant writing their original signature on an electronic signature pad or tablet. Note However, applicants may not reuse the same digital/electronic signature for multiple documents. Applicants may not type their name on a signature line, use a signature created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device, or paste a photocopy or image of a signature on a signature line. For eROP cases, there is no need to maintain a physical case file. RSC must scan all case file documents to START in advance of the USCIS interview. START will transmit the documents every 10 minutes to Global. Whenever possible, scan and upload documents prior to the USCIS Interview as USCIS officers will review cases and scanned documents prior to and during Circuit Rides, and directly after USCIS Interview. Note For information on the VTEL check-in sheet, refer to the Appendix on USCIS VTEL Interviews. 2.2.1 “Notes to USCIS” Comment Category Use the Notes to USCIS comment category to communicate additional information or instructions for USCIS. For more information on the Comments tab, refer to the PreScreen Processing Guide. Additionally, add other information in Notes to USCIS that RSC needs to flag for USCIS (e.g., cancellation, reference to another case). Comments pertaining to a USCIS Action Item status should be entered in the Action Item’s Activity Log comments. The term “Notes to USCIS” is unique to START. In Global, USCIS officers refer to the Note comments as “Applicant Comments.” [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 3.0 RAVU For guidance on RAVU, please refer to the P-2 CAM/P-3 AOR Processing Guide. 4.0 Prepare for the USCIS Interview Follow the below guidance to prepare cases for USCIS Interview. USCIS may interview and adjudicate cases either in-person in the field in the same location as the RSC and/or RSC staff, or remotely (i.e., VTEL). See the Appendix for RSC-USCIS communication for CR Preparation that includes how to create a schedule and what to include in a Trip Detailed Report (TDR). 4.1 USCIS Case Review Task: Prerequisites for USCIS Interview If case composition changes are reported to the RSC between the Prescreen an USCIS Interviews, including the addition of another applicant (“new derivative”), update START with those changes. If the RSC received a newborn baby’s documents (RRF, birth certificate) via email/mail, the RSC may collect the baby’s information over the phone, using the applicant's reported contact information. Signatures are required prior to presenting the baby’s information for USCIS review/adjudication. This is not permitted for new derivative spouses. Security checks may Policy need to be re-requested following case composition changes; see the Security Vetting Processing Guide for more information on how to re-request security checks. If an original applicant is moved from the case after the original PreScreen Interview and prior to the USCIS Interview, an additional PreScreen Interview for the original applicants is not required. The moved applicant may need to be interviewed again if they are establishing their own case. An addendum Case History Form is not required, but If the information is significantly changed, update the information directly to the Case History Tab in START. This re-interview may be conducted over the phone to collect applicant biodata. USCIS Case Review is a comprehensive quality check for all applicants on a case before USCIS interview. RSC should conduct quality control over each file to ensure these cases are ready to be interviewed by USCIS. Departure records for related stateside individuals should not be included in P-1 and P-2 Note case files. Additionally, if any P-1 or P-2 Pre-Defined cases contain departure records for related stateside individuals, remove and shred the departure records from the case file. Complete USCIS Case Review using the checklist provided in the USCIS Case Review Checklist Appendix. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Keep all case information in START up-to-date. For example, if receiving new information or a new document from an applicant, update the information in START as soon as possible. Do not wait until a case is ready for USCIS Interview to make case updates. If additional QC is needed beyond that which was done after PreScreen Interview due to significant changes, assign a USCIS Case Review Task to RSC supervisor Assignment Group. Reset the status to Not Started, if it is Completed Success. Take the following steps and ensure the case meets the following prerequisites before scheduling a case for USCIS Interview: 1. Ensure that the case Availability is Active. 2. Ensure that the Requested by USCIS Case Group includes relevant cases in accordance with policy requirements (see General Case Processing Guide). 3. The RefCoord has completed their review of any Humanitarian Exception requests. a. RSC must ensure all rejected Humanitarian Exception add-on requests by the RefCoord have the status “No Special Humanitarian Concern - Access.” USCIS will not be able to adjudicate the case if the rejected add-on does not have this status. 4. Conduct manual quality control (QC) checks on the digital record, as well as all cases that share the same Requested by USCIS Case Group. Ensure all applicant information and documentation received has been reviewed and is accurately recorded in START. For eROP cases, ensure the digital record is up to date. If the case has any physical documents, RSC has scanned, attached, and added a document type in START. In regards to cases that share the same Requested by USCIS Case Group, a case can be scheduled for USCIS interview if: The other cases in the Requested by USCIS Case Group are either Closed or Inactive, or pending denial/closure The other cases in the Requested by USCIS Case Group have stopped processing due to various reasons (e.g., unable to contact, withdraw, detained, waiting for a court decision, deceased, withdrawn, etc.) The case is reinterviewed and the other case in the Requested by USCIS Case Group is pending the PreScreen Interview Another case is pending Deferral (BID, P-1 Referral, etc.) Another case is pending Thai Government Registration Another case contains an applicant who requested a hold Another case contains an applicant with the Action Item Psychiatric Evaluation - Sent to IOM/Panel Physicians Another case has the Action Item Special Interview Arrangements - Applicants Reside Together but Registered in Different Camps Another case has the Action Item Special Interview Arrangements - Case Members Reside in Different Camps Another case has the Action Item Special Interview Arrangements - Applicant Not Located in Processing Country [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Another case has an Not Clear result for a security check and has not yet received an Action Item Pre-Interview Check - USCIS Review RSC Austria: The case is in the transit location and the other case is further behind in the process (Lautenberg-Specter Amendment cases). USCIS is okay with scheduling cases for processing in the transit location if/when cases are not at the same stage of the process. 1. Acceptance to Program Processing Stage Status is Completed Success and all applicants on the case have an assigned A-Number. Do not schedule cases for USCIS Interview if the following Processing Stages are Completed Failure: Acceptance to Program or Prescreen. Verify that any applicant who already has an A-Number (e.g., FTJ-R applicant who also has a Note P-3 application) uses the originally issued A-Number on the current/new application. 2. Re-run Validation Check within the Validation Check Case Task. a. Update Validation Check Case Task Status to In Progress. b. Review results and resolve any validation errors. If RSC added new biodata information after the PreScreen Processing Stage, ensure that the Validation Check Case Task is performed again and that all results have “Passed Validations.” Note Users who have the ability to override validation checks at PreScreen will have the same ability at this stage in the system. A supervisor must resolve or override any validation errors. If bio-diffs are triggered, re-request security checks according to the Security Vetting Processing Guide. c. Ensure Validation Check Case Task Status is Completed Success. The PreScreen Processing Stage Status will again update to Completed Success. 3. RSC requested CLASS Namecheck for all applicants and the Status is Requested, Scheduled, Pending Review, Clear, Not Clear, SAO Required, and DHS Envelope Required, or Both SAO and DHS Envelope Required. 4. IAC security check status is either Not Required, Requested, Scheduled, Clear, or Not Clear. If Not Clear, see the Force Protection guidance in the Security Vetting Processing Guide. If a pre-USCIS case receives a Not Clear result for IAC, either prior to, or after being scheduled Note for a USCIS interview, the case is eligible for Force Case Protection Review. Refer to the Security Vetting Processing Guide for more information. 5. If not done already at the time of PreScreen:. Generate Form I-590 (If PreScreen was telephonic, RSCs may need to regenerate the I- 590 after pictures are taken before the USCIS interview) b. generate the Family Tree Form in START (ensure the Family Tree tab is updated properly and make sure to create applicant records for new case members prior to the USCIS Interview) c. See the section on Collection of Travel Fingerprints for information on printing the Travel Fingerprint Form. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 RSC should not make any updates to the I-590 after the USCIS Interview. Make all updates prior to the case’s Interview. "Interpreter,” “Caseworker,” "Language of Interpretation," and/or "Auxiliary Language of Note Interpretation" information will be automatically populated onto the I-590 form based on the information from the most recent Prescreen scheduled case record. 6. Check if there are any documents if a case has a physical case file to ensure documents are attached to the Supporting Documents tab with a document type. If photos are missing, add the Collect Documentation Action Item to track the collection of the missing photos. 7. Ensure translations are attached to supporting documents (e.g., Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, military documents, Passport, National ID, other eligibility-related documents) and in the Supporting Documents tab. 8. Confirm that all Action Items are appropriately updated and do not indicate pending actions that should be completed prior to the USCIS Interview. 9. When all these prerequisites are complete, update USCIS Case Review Task Status to Completed Success. Please refer to the Acceptance to Program Processing Guide for new derivative spouse or child information. See the section on Force Protection in the Security Vetting Processing Guide for guidance on scheduling cases that receive an IAC status of Not Clear during security checks. Do not administratively close the case. USCIS will review the circumstances of the Not Clear result 4.1.1 Generate the I-590 Form The I-590 may be generated at any point before the USCIS Interview. Before generating the I-590, ensure the following are complete: PreScreen Interview Enter and submit applicant data in START Complete the Manual QC Perform the PreScreen Validation Check and resolve the errors ○ Re-run the check after staff have updated the data in START Recommended: Perform the Allocation & Assurance Validation Check and resolve U.S. Tie and case group related errors ○ Re-run the check after staff have updated the data in START As of May 2021, the I-590 only reflects the relationship between the PA and the U.S. Tie. For Note now, RSC will manually correct this information. Data mapping from START to the I-590 form is outlined in Job Aid: I-590 in START Knowledge. Once the above actions are complete, follow the steps below either prior to or after the USCIS Interview: [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 1. Generate the I-590 for all applicants An unsigned version of the I-590 will appear in each applicant’s Supporting Documents tab. RSC staff will stop collecting electronic or wet signatures for part 10 of the I-590 for any cases that are undergoing PreScreen interview and will have a USCIS interview in October 2023 or later. This guidance applies to all signatures in part 10 (i.e., applicant, interpreter, and preparer signatures). USCIS will be responsible to collect signatures on part 10 of USCIS Form I-590. If the digital form review application fails in the field and USCIS must revert to paper Form I-590 review, the USCIS officer is responsible for collecting the refugee applicant’s signature in Part 10, Certification Of The Registrant, Interpreter, And Preparer, and the For Government Use Only section of the refugee applicant’s paper Form I-590. Consistent with the eSign guidelines, RSC staff are not responsible for collecting interpreter or RSC staff signatures on Part 10 if USCIS reverts to paper Form I-590 review. However, USCIS still expects RSC staff to completePart 10 of the Form I-590. IMPORTANT: RSC staff are still required to collect signatures for Part 10 of the Form I-590 in the following scenarios: Remote newborn adjudication. RSC must collect signatures for Part 10 of the newborn’s Form I-590. This includes remote adjudication of newborn RE-1 grandchildren. Note USCIS reinterviews to add a new spouse and/or child to the refugee case. Due to Global system limitations, USCIS cannot collect eSignatures on the Form I-590 for the new case member. This guidance does not apply to FTJ-R cases. 2. When there is a new case member on a case that has already completed a USCIS interview, then the RSC will collect applicant, preparer, and interpreter signatures for part 10 of the I-590 for that new case member. 3. Upload the signed I-590 to START only if there is a new case member on a case that has already completed a USCIS interview. Ensure the Naming Convention matches the guidance in the Document Type & Naming Convention Dictionary. Delete the unsigned version. RSC may separate and keep previous signature pages to avoid the need for RSC preparers and interpreters to re-sign the I-590. 4.2 Prepare the Case File After completing the Case Review task, prepare the electronic file in START; there is no need to prepare a physical file. For eROP cases, only review the presence of the document in START. If any of the documents listed are missing, obtain copies from the applicants, referring entity, or other appropriate source before the scheduled interview date. For all USCIS interviews, ensure all physical documents (with translations) are scanned and Note attached in START. These cases do not need to adhere to the below file order, as USCIS will use Global to review documents transmitted from START to Global. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Check the Case History Form for the same names. Note G-325c phased out with the adoption of the 2018 version of the I-590 which incorporates information previously captured on G-325c. G-325c is included in case files that use the 2014 version or older of the I-590 for applicants 13 years or older at the time. 4.3 Scheduling a Case for USCIS Appointment RSCs must schedule cases for USCIS interview using the Scheduling feature in START prior to the USCIS interview to enable USCIS internal scheduling reports to populate in advance to the interview. Follow the instructions in this section, in the USCIS Scheduling Checklist Appendix, and in the Scheduling Processing Guide to schedule a case for USCIS Interview, USCIS reinterview, Fingerprints, or Call Back. See the RSC-USCIS Communication Appendix for additional information on communicating with USCIS regarding preparing for a Circuit Ride. When scheduling USCIS cases, consider if cases were PreScreened via video or telephonically. For cases that were not PreScreened in person, it is likely that those cases will require photos and signatures to documents such as Notice of Confidentiality. I-590s may need to be generated again for cases that did not provide a photo. RSC should allow for time in the circuit ride for RSC caseworkers to collect that needed information and generate an updated I-590. For reinterview requests initiated on or after 10/5/2023, or if an existing pending interview request is modified in Global, Global will transmit reinterview cases by USCIS Reinterview Request - RSC Review action item to START. When received, RSCs will add Schedule Action Item to track that the case needs to be scheduled. 1. USCIS identifies cases that need reinterview and transmits the USCIS Reinterview Request - RSC Review Action Item. 2. RSC will add Schedule Action Item with USCIS reinterview schedule type to track that the case needs to be scheduled. 3. Once Schedule Action Item is added, RSC can change USCIS Reinterview Request - RSC Review Action Item status to Completed. a. If an RSC is unable to complete the Action Item, RSC can change the status of the Action Item to Rejected by RSC and include a note to USCIS with the reason that RSC rejected the case to be scheduled. 4. RSCs can then proceed to add the case to a USCIS reinterview schedule. To the extent possible, schedule cases for interview based on the oldest case creation/received date and in the order in which they became ready for USCIS Interview, along with required Case Policy Group members. Prioritize PRM-approved expedite cases. The RSC is permitted to schedule cases based on other scheduling priorities, in consultation with the PO. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Consult with USCIS if the last week of the USCIS mission should be unscheduled to allow for Note cases to be scheduled for reinterview or call back interviews. During concurrent processing, IOM may notify RSC if the applicant is active TB. The RSC Medical Team will create a Medical Follow Up Action Item with status Receiving TB Treatment and place the case on Hold. If the case is scheduled for USCIS, the Medical team will notify the Casework RSC team in the Additional Comment. The case will be removed from USCIS Interview/Re-Interview. Asia IOM will inform the RSC Medical Team when the applicant is no longer contagious. RSC Medical Team will set the USCIS Interview/Re-Interview Schedule Action Item to Not Started. The case will be set to Active and the case may be scheduled for USCIS Interview/Re-interview. USCIS schedule information is transmitted automatically to Global when the case is added to the schedule. 4.3.1 Coordinate Schedule Dates and Target Capacity with USCIS Managers should coordinate with USCIS regarding dates for upcoming interviews. Set the Target Capacity for the schedule in coordination with RSC availability and PRM/USCIS requests. Target Capacity can be an estimate. See the RSC-USCIS Communication Appendix for additional information on communicating with USCIS regarding preparing for a Circuit Ride. 4.3.2 Create the Schedule A Schedule Manager (or other appointed personnel) should follow steps outlined in the Scheduling Processing Guide to create a schedule for the upcoming USCIS appointment. Select the appropriate Schedule Type: USCIS Interview – initial USCIS Interview for a case USCIS reinterview – reinterview as previously communicated by USCIS Call-Back – USCIS needs a case to come back during the same circuit ride for follow up questions. Prepare this schedule type in advance of the interview and add cases as needed. See the Scheduling Processing Guide for additional uses of the Call Back Schedule Type. Travel Fingerprints – initial or re-do fingerprints for a case Use the Schedule Naming convention as shown below, especially noting in the Schedule Name if the appointment will be remote: Country Abbreviation_(City, if needed)_ScheduleType_StartDate(Year, Month, Day)_EndDate Examples: o AU_Fingerprinting_2021Feb02-2021Feb28 o ET_Addis_USCISInterview_2021Feb01_2021Mar31 o TU_Istanbul_USCISInterview_Remote_2021Feb01_2021Mar31 [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 4.3.2.1 RSC LA USCIS Schedule Processes When making schedules for USCIS Interviews or reinterviews, indicate in the ‘Location Details’ field either “VTEL” or “In-Person.” In situations when there are mixed arrangements of VTEL and In-person interviews during the same Circuit Ride, add the comment that best matches the majority of the cases scheduled for that day and keep a manual record of the discrepancy, to report at the end of the circuit ride. Review cases scheduled using the USCIS SCH report in Tableau. Ensure that the number of cases schedules matches the targets in the TDR and Case Type. In order to both identify in bulk the cases that are ready for USCIS interview and create the USCIS schedule, run the USCIS Requested Tableau report, according to the following priority: 1. Urgency LV1 and LV2: Top priority should be given to LV1 followed by LV2 cases. LV1 cases must be monitored regularly to ensure that no urgent case is overlooked. The RSC Protection unit will update the case urgency level and upload supporting documents regarding the urgency approval, if necessary. If many LV1/ LV2 cases exist, filter by Received Date from oldest to newest to prioritize including cases that have waited the longest. 2. Normal Urgency (NOR): For normal cases use the Received Date (date when the referral was submitted) to track how long the cases have been waiting in the pipeline; schedule from oldest to newest. 3. NOTE: PTA cases should NOT be interviewed in their country of origin (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador) without authorization from RSC Senior Management. In advance of an upcoming USCIS circuit ride, the Adjudication Support unit must review the PTA pipeline and flag to RSC LA Management any cases on long-term holds that might prevent them from transferring to Costa Rica. RSC LA Management will inform if PTA cases can be interviewed in the country. Schedule cases belonging to the same Requested by USCIS case group on the same day, time, and assigned to the same Officer(s), unless otherwise instructed by USCIS or if there are other compelling circumstances that prevent this. Below is subject to change given space limitations and confirmation from the IRAD Desk Officer and TDR plan, but should be consider when constructing the schedule: If there are more cases in the Case Group than available slots on the given day, the remaining cases should be scheduled for the next day Check for cases pending new derivative adjudication using a START filter. Run the USCIS reinterview report in Tableau to identify cases pending reinterview that can be added into the schedule. Consult with supervisor and IRAD Desk Officer before adding reinterviews. Flag to supervisor as early as possible cases with new derivatives pending prescreen, pending QC, incomplete loops, and document translations needs. Supervisor will liaise with the Prescreening and Program Access units to address these. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 After the list of cases ready to present to USCIS has been revised and the schedule constructed following the TDR, submit to supervisor and management for approval. After approval, schedule in START. 4.3.4 Add Cases to the Schedule Only schedule cases when all cases in a Requested by USCIS Case Group are ready for USCIS Interview. Schedule all cases that share the Case Group for the same date. See below for allowable exceptions. Requests for exceptions for any other reason must be approved by the USCIS Regional Desk Officer, with the RefCoord in copy, and a record of the approval email stored in the physical and digital case files. Refer to Section 4.1 for allowable exceptions to the requirement of scheduling all cases in a Requested by USCIS Case Group on the same date. Reference reports to identify the cases that meet the criteria and are ready for USCIS Appointment. After performing QC checks on a case, a Caseworker should indicate the case is ready for USCIS appointment by creating the Schedule Action Item for the case and selecting the appropriate Schedule Type. It is optional to: Associate the Action Item with the USCIS Processing Stage. Assign the Schedule Action Item to a Schedule Manager or to the Schedule Manager Assignment Group (Assignment Group name may vary in RSC local guidance). Example workflow: Note RSC Team searches for cases with the Schedule Action Item with the schedule type USCIS Interview. Check if the cases have any issue preventing them from attending USCIS interview; if no issues are found, update the USCIS Case Review task Status to In Progress. Cases with the Schedule Action Item with the schedule type USCIS interview and USCIS Case Review Task with In Progress status can be used to determine cases that will be added to USCIS schedule. USCIS will view USCIS Interview Schedule information that is transmitted from START to Global. USCIS schedule information will be transmitted to Global when the case is added to the schedule. Note RSC will no longer send the SRO Tracker, XML reports, reinterview Report, or other scheduling reports to USCIS in advance of USCIS interviews. 4.4 RSC LA: Contacting Applicants for USCIS Interview The approved schedule should be available at least two weeks in advance so that the Communications unit can contact applicants with enough time. Adjudication staff place the USCIS Schedule in a shared document for the Communication unit to inform applicants of scheduled interview date and share the confirmed schedule with UNHCR/NGO partners. The adjudication staff notifies Communications that the schedule is ready in the compiled. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 When requesting Communications contact applicants, add in the body of the email any special details that might be needed, (e.g., if the interviews will take place in a different office than what they normally do, if an applicant is required to bring additional documentation or any other special requirement, etc.). Keep the email concise with the most important parts located at the beginning of the email, using bullet points. If a case is Unable to Contact (UTC), the Communications unit will contact the Resettlement Agency (RA) in the U.S. (for P-2 and P-3) or UNHCR/referring agency (for P-1) to obtain updated contact information. Communications team will send the confirmed schedule to UNHCR, IOM operations or local partners for support with transportation to the applicants on the day of the interview for P-1 cases and to the Resettlement Agency for their records for P-2 or P-3 cases. All schedules sent to UNHCR should be password protected and should not contain personal identifiable information (PII) or any information pertaining exclusively to RSC, USCIS or PRM. 5.0 Collection of Travel Fingerprints See the Security Vetting Processing Guide for more information on Travel Fingerprints. The Travel Fingerprints task involves scheduling a fingerprint appointment with USCIS for all applicants who require Travel Fingerprints on a case. 1. See the Security Vetting Processing Guide for information on updating the Travel Fingerprints Task Status to Not Required or Requested. 2. Once the Travel Fingerprints Task Status is Requested, work with USCIS to organize the fingerprint collection schedule, whether applicants are already appearing for USCIS Interview or are going to be scheduled to be fingerprinted by USCIS at another time. a. If applicants are being fingerprinted on the same day or in coordination with a USCIS Interview schedule, RSC does not need to create a separate Fingerprints schedule. b. If applicants are fingerprinted on a day that they do not have a USCIS Interview, schedule a USCIS Travel Fingerprints appointment for the applicants in START. Choose a day when all applicants on a case can attend. Use the scheduling feature to create a Fingerprints schedule and add each case to the schedule. See the Scheduling Processing Guide for more information. Any applicant on an Active/Hold case and in the processing location who have a Not Started, Note Requested, and No Decision fingerprint status may be scheduled for Travel Fingerprints. 3. To prepare for the fingerprint appointment, generate and print the Travel Fingerprint Form for applicants, based on travel fingerprint requirements in the Security Vetting Processing Guide. USCIS will use this form and collect the applicant’s fingerprints and photograph on the day of the scheduled appointment. Refer to the Security Vetting Processing Guide for instructions on steps to take for individuals not yet 14 years of age. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USCIS will return the Travel Fingerprint forms to RSC staff; RSC staff will shred the form once the Fingerprints have been taken. RSC staff can remove the form from the Applicant Supporting Documents tab if the USCIS officer has not made any marks on the form. For more information on the Generate Forms functionality, see the General Case Processing Guide. Note The Travel Fingerprint Form is not required when Travel Fingerprints are taken at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of a USCIS circuit ride. See the Security Vetting Processing Guide for more information on Travel Fingerprints at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. 4. Notify USCIS in-person at the time of fingerprint collection when an applicant has a physical impediment or missing/partial fingertips. If an applicant is unable to provide any fingerprints or all fingerprints are not readable due to a medical condition, USCIS can request a medical waiver for review for potential return of Travel Fingerprints Task Status of Excepted. The applicant must appear in-person for fingerprinting, photograph, and signature so that a USCIS officer can determine whether the applicant is eligible for a waiver. Please reference the Security Vetting Processing Guide for more information on Fingerprint Exceptions (unclassifiable fingerprints or medical related fingerprint exception). 5. After USCIS collects fingerprints: a. Update the applicant attendance status for each applicant to the appropriate status regarding whether the applicant attended and completed fingerprint collection. See the Scheduling Processing Guide for more information on recording applicant attendance. b. Create a record in the Travel Fingerprint Collection tab. Please reference the Security Vetting Processing Guide for more information. If a Travel Fingerprint status is updated immediately from Not Started to Clear, do not reset the Travel Fingerprint task to Requested. Note Update Fingerprint collection information as soon as possible during a Circuit Ride. This is to ensure that interviewing officers are able to see this information in Global and are able to adjudicate the results the same day of the interview. Liaise with the Team Leader on the specific needs for each Circuit Ride. 6. USCIS will transmit Travel Fingerprint results back to START through the interface with Global, which will populate in the Travel Fingerprints Task record. Travel Fingerprint results received from Global are read-only in START. Not Required statuses will remain Not Required. 7. Run a filter list to determine when there have been updates to Travel Fingerprints results. See the Security Vetting Processing Guide for additional information regarding Travel Fingerprints. 6.0 USCIS Interview See the USCIS Case Review Task for more information on conducting QC. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 During the USCIS Interview, the USCIS Officer reviews and confirms case information, obtains applicant signatures on the Form I-590 (or Record of Changes) and other documents, interviews all applicants on the case, and records interview and adjudication notes. After the interview, if the USCIS Officer has reviewed all available and necessary information to make a final decision, the USCIS Officer adjudicates the I-590 application for refugee status and approves or denies each individual applicant. If more information is required or if the case requires additional USCIS review, the USCIS Officer may request additional information or documentation, flag the case for additional USCIS review, or remand the case for reinterview (with the USCIS Reinterview Request- RSC Review action item) before making a final determination on the case. RSC responsibilities include: Conducting roll call and distribution of name tags/lanyards to applicants. Ensuring applicants are in the correct waiting room/room for processing. (if applicable) Arranging childcare, where possible, for cases with children under eight years old. Conducting the morning briefing with applicants and distributing any informational forms. Preparing the digital case file for interview and ensuring applicant signatures are collected. Hiring and briefing security guards on responsibilities for the day, including searching bags, metal detection, and collection and storage of electronic devices (from applicants and interpreters) that can record or connect to other devices via data, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. Hiring interpreters according to the languages needed each day, checking them in, and briefing them on the day's agenda. Collecting, copying, and uploading documents/information for case composition changes (i.e., Birth Certificate, Death Certificate), U.S. tie information, translating any new documents, updating START information (Family Tree, Biotabs), preparing forms and collecting signatures (e.g., updated I-590, Family Tree Form, other unsigned forms). See the Acceptance to Program Processing Guide for more information on adding applicants. Informing applicants regarding interview scheduled date and following up on no-show applicants. Creating and tracking the daily interview schedule and schedule status. Flagging for USCIS any special interview requirements, and preparing interview rooms for applicants with special medical or physical needs, if applicable. Conducting counseling with Case Groups to confirm resettlement and travel preference; collecting any updated U.S. Tie information. Retrieving additional documentation or information from the applicant or referring entities, if requested by USCIS. (if applicable) Informing applicants about upcoming medical examination appointments. Conducting quality checks of the case documents (e.g., check for applicant, interpreter, USCIS officer signatures). Moving the case forward with the next required processing steps according to the USCIS result. If the USCIS Officer requests changes to case composition before or at the time of USCIS Note Interview, make these changes in START and re-request security checks as needed. See the Security Vetting Processing Guide for more information on re-requesting security checks. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 All RSC staff will, effective immediately, stop collecting electronic or wet signatures for part 10 of the I-590 for any cases that are still completing PreScreen interview and will have a USCIS interview in October 2023 or later. This guidance applies to all signatures in part 10 (i.e., applicant, interpreter, and preparer signatures). USCIS will be responsible to collect signatures on Part 10 of USCIS Form I-590. Important: RSCs are still required to collect signatures for Part 10 of the Form I-590 in the following scenarios: Remote newborn adjudication. RSC must collect signatures for Part 10 of the newborn’s Form I-590. This includes remote adjudication of newborn RE-1 grandchildren. ○ The parent or legal guardian must sign their name on behalf of derivative refugee applicants under 14 years of age. Since the principal applicant is a parent, the principal applicant must sign the newborn’s Form I-590, when possible. USCIS reinterviews to add a new spouse and/or child to the refugee case. Due to Note Global system limitations, USCIS cannot collect eSignatures on the Form I-590 for the new case member. FTJ-R If the digital form review application fails in the field and USCIS is forced to revert to paper Form I-590 review, the USCIS officer is responsible for collecting the refugee applicant’s signature in Part 10, Certification Of The Registrant, Interpreter, And Preparer, and the For Government Use Only section of the refugee applicant’s paper Form I-590. Consistent with the eSign workflow, RSC staff are not responsible for collecting interpreter or RSC staff signatures on Part 10 if USCIS reverts to paper Form I-590 review. However, with the exception of signatures, USCIS still expects RSC staff to have Part 10 information completed on the Form I-590. If the case requires a re-interview for a newly added derivative spouse or child, a physical paper of the I-590 must be available for the USCIS officer to perform paper form review and collect wet signatures. At the moment, the Global Form Review application does not support reinterviews. 6.1 Start the Schedule Schedule Managers should start the schedule on the day before or day of the USCIS Interview/first day of the Circuit Ride. See the Scheduling Processing Guide for more information on starting the schedule. If the applicant is a No Show or Unable to Contact, inform USCIS and follow the steps in the Scheduling Processing Guide or General Case Processing Guide, respectively. Remember to add a case to the active USCIS interview schedule if pulled from a USCIS Note Reserve schedule on a circuit ride. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 6.2 USCIS Interview Applicant Task START uses the USCIS Interview Applicant Task Status to record if a case has ever been interviewed by USCIS. This field does not display any information about the USCIS result (see USCIS Results). Update the USCIS Interview Applicant Task Status only for the first USCIS Interview according to the guidance in the table below. Do not update this Task for subsequent USCIS Interviews. Not Started Default status. The applicant’s USCIS Interview is not scheduled. If the first USCIS Interview was scheduled but not completed for any reason, return the USCIS Interview Applicant Task Status to Not Started. Scheduled Select this Status when the applicant’s case is on a schedule for its first USCIS Interview. Completed Select this Status if USCIS finished conducting the first Interview and all applicants on the case and Success in the Requested by USCIS Case Group attended the Interview (all applicants have Completed the schedule, according to the guidelines in the Scheduling Processing Guide regarding applicant attendance). As an additional layer of QC, RSCs may prefer a different individual to complete the USCIS Tip Interview Applicant Task than the one who completed the USCIS Case Review Task. 6.3 RSC Actions after USCIS Interview Record applicant attendance per guidance in the Scheduling Processing Guide for each applicant. For no show scenarios, refer to the Scheduling Processing Guide section on No Shows. RSC actions following USCIS Interview differ depending on whether USCIS conducts the interview in the field or remotely from USCIS headquarters. USCIS will transmit the final USCIS adjudication results and documentation digitally from Global to START, with the exception of USCIS Case Closure. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Generally, USCIS will not perform a field-by-field review of existing case members USCIS Form I-590 after the initial USCIS Interview unless the USCIS officer is instructed to do so in the USCIS reinterview request or has reason to believe that this is a necessary step to complete a legally sufficient reinterview. If a new derivative spouse and/or new derivative child is added to the case after the initial USCIS interview, the USCIS officer will do a full review of the new derivative’s USCIS Form I- Note 590. The new derivative must sign the USCIS Form I-590. However, other case members previously interviewed by USCIS are not required to sign the USCIS Form I-590 a second time. If USCIS requests a case composition change, the USCIS officer will request changes through the Case Composition Change Action For US Tie data, USCIS will confirm that the information that is currently listed is correct. If the case has already appeared for one USCIS Interview, the Status should remain at Completed Success. Once the case has completed the USCIS interview, and if the case’s USCIS Result Applicant Task is Denied, the RSC can update the case availability to Inactive. If the result remains denied because a RFR is rejected or Denied, or an I-602 waiver is rejected or Denied, the RSC can also update the case Availability to Closed. 6.3.1 Store USCIS Documents Upon completion of the USCIS Interview, follow the steps below: 1. Review the case file (any physical and digital documents) to ensure completion of required signatures, documents, and annotations. If corrections are handled in person by USCIS, it is not necessary to add the USCIS Corrections Note Action Item. If USCIS corrections are done physically on site, assign the Additional Scanning Action Item to RSC Eurasia RSC Eurasia File Integrity Assignment Group. a. If the case requires corrections: i. RSC completes any necessary corrections in START and re-requests CLASS/IAC if a bio-diff occurs. ii. Add the USCIS Corrections Action Item to the case or applicant once the bio-diff is reconciled, if applicable. Associate it to the USCIS Processing Stage. iii. Update the Status to Pending USCIS. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 iv. Record in the Action Item Activity Log comments for the applicant(s) whose document(s) require correction. Indicate to USCIS what corrections are required. v. USCIS will return the corrections to RSC in the USCIS Initiated Action item. vi. USCIS will update the USCIS Corrections Action Item Status to Completed by USCIS. vii. Attach the documents with corrections to START. USCIS record of unemployment on the I-590 does not need to be entered in START. If USCIS corrections on the I-590 contradict guidance in the USRAP Processing Guides, submit an issue on GitHub. Note RSC does not need to present the case to USCIS for corrections and amendments of the I-590 Form if there are no changes to case composition. RSCs may not change information on the I-590 Form after the USCIS Interview unless directed by USCIS. Changes should be made prior to the USCIS Interview. If changes are made to the case in START prior to USCIS interview, regenerate the I-590. For further guidance on preparing the Travel Packet, refer to the Travel Processing Guide. Scan all documents into START within 30 days of receiving paper files from USCIS. For more Note guidance on scanning guidelines, refer to the General Case Processing Guide. RSCs Africa and Asia: Scan all documents into START as soon as possible, but within 30 days of the end of the return of the Circuit Ride to the office. 2. Prioritize the cases for scanning: High Priority – cases with USCIS Result Task of Denied, Not Started; cases with a USCIS Adjudicative Hold Task result of Hold Placed Moderate Priority – cases with USCIS Result Task of Refugee, Immigrant, Parolee. 3. Take the next steps: a. Update the USCIS Document Scanning Case Task Status from Not Started to In Progress. b. Scan and upload the following into the corresponding applicant’s Supporting Documents tab (None should remain in the draft state): i. New documents provided by the applicant to USCIS, ii. Documents that USCIS made physical annotations to (including documents with wet signatures, such as printed Record of Changes), and iii. New USCIS documents added to the file by USCIS. c. Update the USCIS Document Scanning Case Task status to Completed Success. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 If there are additional documents received or a case requiring re-scan after USCIS Document Scanning Case Task status is Completed Success, create an Additional Scanning Action Item RSC Asia and assign it to RSC Asia Scan Assignment Group. This also applies to USCIS reinterview cases. Note For new documentation received in reinterviews or call-backs, repeat these steps. When RSC receives USCIS documentation transmitted from Global, it will appear in Supporting Documents for each case/applicant. The USCIS Result may or may not transmit at the same time as the Supporting Documents, depending on whether USCIS has completed the adjudication. RSC should regularly run filters to identify newly updated Supporting Documents created by uscis.letter.user. This is not required for eROP cases. Never destroy, annotate, or change printed USCIS documentation, unless otherwise advised Note by USCIS (e.g., not relevant worksheet). 8. Review instructions to RSC in the Record of Changes, and USCIS Initiated Action Items. USCIS will not provide the eAssessment to RSC. The eAssessment will remain only in Global. Note USCIS will provide any instructions to RSC via USCIS Initiated Action Items. 9. If USCIS completed the USCIS Interview, review the USCIS Form I-590, USCIS Record of Changes, or USCIS Record of Reinterview to determine if USCIS decision is contingent upon one of the following pending actions and take the required follow-on steps below: [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USCIS Indicates that Final Decision RSC Follow-On Action is Contingent Upon: Pending Security Checks and 1. Review the Biographic Data and Alternate Identities - RSC Review USCIS identified new applicant Action Item with a status of Pending Review by RSC. information by using the Biographic 2. Record the information in the relevant applicant and case records in Data and Alternate Identities - RSC START. Review Action Item. 3. Update the Action Item to Completed by RSC. 4. Re-run PreScreen Validation Check and address or override any validation errors. 5. Re-request security checks if required by any resulting bio-diffs. 6. No further RSC action is required. Wait for USCIS final result from Global. Pending Security Checks and No further RSC action is required. Wait for USCIS final result from Global. USCIS did not identify new applicant information USCIS does not use any Action Item. Pending USCIS Adjudicative Hold No further RSC action is required. Wait for the final USCIS result from Global. If USCIS lifts the hold, START will update the status of the USCIS USCIS sends an Adjudicative Hold from Adjudicated Hold task to Hold Lifted. Global to START. USCIS does not use any Action Item. Pending Additional Documentation 1. Review the Documentation Request - RSC Review Action Item with a from the Applicant by using the status of Pending Review by RSC. Documentation Request - RSC Review 2. Request documentation from applicant or USRAP partner. Add an Action Item. Action Item to track the request. If contacting the applicant or USRAP partner, enter a contact log entry. 3. When the document is received, translate it (if needed) and upload it to START. 4. Update the Documentation Request - RSC Review Action Item to Completed by RSC. Add a note [The applicant/USRAP partner provided document (include the document name). Please review.] 5. No further RSC action is required. Wait for USCIS final result from Global. RSC Eurasia Adjudications Support Unit is setting USCIS Scanning Task to Completed 6.3.2 Update Applicant Information in START Previously USCIS officers passed case information updates to RSC through the USRAP Family Tree Form, USCIS eAssessment, USCIS Form I-590 (or Record of Changes), and email. Now, USCIS officers will provide that information to RSC using an Action Item which Global sends to START. There may be limited instances where USCIS officers continue to use email to pass the information to RSC staff. USCIS will not provide the USCIS eAssessment. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 1. After the USCIS interview is complete, review the Action Items tab for any Action Items created by a USCIS Action Item User (uscis.action item.initiation.user). Use this filter to quickly identify cases with a USCIS-initiated Action Item. a. Enter any additional names in the alias tab. b. If USCIS request to run an Alias with “FNU”/”LNU” or just one name, do not proceed. Forward the request to as an ITSM Ticket or alternatively, email USCIS with the screenshot on section 4.2.15.2 Unknown/Partial Names from PreScreening Processing Guide or other relevant section in the SOP. RSC should not be sharing the full SOP with USCIS. c. Update applicant biodata and applicants’ family tree information in START with any Action Items created by the USCIS Officer (sent from Global to START). These updates include, but are not limited to: additional relationships, names, contact information, and addresses. USCIS will sometimes indicate a name of city in the USCIS Form I-590 or USCIS Record on Changes, which could be a smaller town within the city, incorrect spelling, wrong city based on how applicant pronounce it phonetically etc. If the record in START is correct, leave it as-is. See the USCIS Record of Changes Appendix for more information and scenarios. RSC Austria/ If the RoC has updated addresses for CAS applicants and Lautenberg- Specter applicants in RSC MENA Vienna (unless it is adding a private residence) do not add the addresses to START. d. If USCIS only indicated the country of marriage in the USCIS form I-590 or USCIS Record of Changes, RSC can either contact the applicant or obtain the information from any supporting document applicants presented, to fill up the State/Province and City field. If RSC has difficulty in contacting the applicant, RSC can use applicants' current address or location of birth to fill in the information. See the Security Vetting Processing Guide for details on re-requesting security checks if Note updates to case or applicant information trigger bio-diffs. 2. If USCIS has made a final adjudication decision of Approved or Denied, ensure the digital case file includes the appropriate USCIS Decision Documents. See Decision Letter Distribution about distributing the USCIS Decision Letter. 6.3.3 USCIS Initiated Action Items Following the USCIS interview, USCIS officers can add specific Action Items to a case to communicate updates USCIS would like the RSC to make to the case in START. While the RSC cannot add these Action Items to the case, the RSC will be able to review/add comments, and update the status to the Action Items. In most instances, the USCIS initiated Action Item will be used by USCIS to communicate requested action or updates instead of emails or other means of communication. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 The USCIS officer will add one of the following Action Items to request information or an update to a case: Document Request – RSC Review Data Correction Request – RSC Review Case Composition Change Request – RSC Review Family Tree Update – RSC Review Translation Request – RSC Review Biographic Data and Alternate Identities – RSC Review Applicant Status Change Request - RSC Review Each of the USCIS initiated Action Items will have the following statuses Not Started Pending Review by RSC- USCIS has added this Action Item requesting the RSC take action or make an update to this case. START users cannot update the Action Item to this status. Completed by RSC- The RSC has taken action or updated the case per USCIS’s request. Rejected by RSC- The RSC has denied USCIS’s request and provided information explaining why. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Canceled by USCIS- USCIS has either added the Action Item by mistake or action is no longer required by the RSC. START users cannot update the Action Item to this status. Once a USCIS initiated Action Item has been added to the case, the RSC should review the Action Item and the comments posted in the “Additional Comments” section. The USCIS officer will outline the specific action requested of the RSC in the comment. If no comment is included in the Action Item, add a comment requesting more information and change the status to Rejected by RSC. After reviewing the comments in the Action Item, determine whether the update duplicates or contradicts other data in START. (For example, the USCIS officer may request that a new Family Tree record be created for a family member that already exists in the Family Tree tab.) If the RSC determines that the requested update or action can happen, then take the requested action and then update the status to Completed by RSC. If the RSC determines that the requested update or action should not happen, add a comment explaining the reason and change the status to Rejected by RSC. At this point, USCIS can add another comment to the Action Item adding further rationale and change the status to Pending Review by RSC again. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USCIS should be collecting the following information if they make changes during the USCIS Interview. If they fail to collect the correct information, RSC staff should use the following USCIS Initiated Action Items with a comment asking for the necessary information that is missing. Document Request- RSC Review Type of Document Document for which Applicant Data Correction Request- RSC Review Data element (employment info, education info, address info, contact info, organization membership, law violations, military service, travel information) All requests - Start date All requests - End date All requests - Current (yes or no) All requests - Country All requests - State/province All requests - City If employment, Employer name and applicant’s occupation If organization (e.g. political, social, religious), name of organization, applicant’s duties/rank If law violation, arrest date/release date, nature of charge, final ruling if available If military service, military branch/organization If travel, date of entry/departure If education, school type, name of school If contact information, contact type (mobile, email), full number including country code (or write the country where the phone number is from) Note If address information, street address number/street name, if mailing address, if residential address Case Composition Change Request – RSC Review Applicant who is the new PA, plus change to RE code Previous PA’s new RE code Applicant who needs to move to a new/existing case + existing case number, plus change to RE code Family Tree Update – RSC Review If a new family member, include ○ First name ○ Surname ○ Sex (Gender) ○ Relationship to applicant ○ Nationality ○ Marital status ○ Any contact information for the family tree member ○ If missing/deceased Translation Request – RSC Review Type of document Document for which Applicant Biographic Data and Alternate Identities – RSC Review [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 Source document First name Surname Sex (Gender) If the document contains country of birth, nationality, date of birth. If passport or National ID, number, place of issuance, date of issuance, expiration date Request that IAC be re-initiated for an applicant (including if there's a biodiff and the case is IAC NCL) 6.3.3.2 RSC Asia Procedures Address: updates for NRPPAS cases are allowed before the case is marked as Post-USCIS QC complete. Thereafter, per PRM guidance, only the country and location in the Case Screen and Travel tab is updated when the applicant is transferred to a new location. If USCIS indicated future summons or record of violation in the USCIS Form I-590 or USCIS Record of Changes without start or end date, Record USCIS’s notes in the Final Disposition of the Law Violation and include the remark, "USCIS comment." 6.3.3.3 RSC Eurasia Procedures RSC Eurasia leaves information regarding corrections in the additional comments of certain action items and does not record separate Notes to USCIS. The corrected documents should be attached to START. Post-USCIS case files are stored in the File Library separately after the USCIS interview until START updates are completed: sorted by dates of the interview or by 3 last digits of the case number. This is done for quick and easy navigation through the files which are taken for Status Update by the Adjudications Support team and might be requested for other purposes at the same time. The File Integrity team works on scanning according to Priority ranking. Files are assigned in the File Tracking System (FTS) to a File Integrity Unit staff member's name when taken for scanning purposes. All the cases must be scanned within 30 days after the receipt of the physical case file delivered to the RSC Eurasia File Library after USCIS Circuit Ride. They can be scanned urgently. 7.0 USCIS Recommended Decisions and Final Decisions After USCIS has completed the Interview and gathered sufficient information to adjudicate the case, a USCIS Officer will record the decision in Global. USCIS may issue a preliminary result prior to issuing their final decision. FTJ-R cases processed by RSC will not receive USCIS decisions in START. See the FTJ-R Processing Guide for more information. Note RSC will need to manually update USCIS Result information for SIV cases and cases with the category Parolee. See the SIV Processing Guide and Afghan Overseas Parolee Processing Guide for more information. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 7.1 USCIS Result in START Global transmits final USCIS decision information for each applicant to the USCIS Result Applicant Task record in START, including: USCIS Decision (see table below) USCIS Adjudicating Officer Decision Effective Date (i.e., date of USCIS concurrence and official approval) As of 10 August, 2023, Global transmits USCIS recommended decisions to the USCIS Result Applicant Task record in START, including: Recommended Approval Recommended Denial Recommended Parolee USCIS may issue recommended decisions prior to the final decision. Depending on the recommendation, RSC staff can move the case forward with the next processing steps, or pause the case while waiting for USCIS to issue a final decision. However, cases will not be eligible to travel until USCIS transmits a final decision. RSC will only distribute Final USCIS Decision letters when USCIS transmit final decisions. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 There is no standard turnaround time for receiving final USCIS decisions. However, USCIS may send recommended decisions after the initial USCIS interview. If the USCIS Result Applicant Task Status is Not Started, or the USCIS Adjudicative Hold Task Status is Hold Placed, USCIS has not issued a final decision. For FTJ-R, SIV, and cases with category Parolee, and for other rare exceptions, RSCs may need to input a USCIS decision or recommended decision manually into START if USCIS is not able to enter the decision into Global or Global is unable to transmit to START. Only certain START Note users will have this permission in the system. See the Job Aid for instructions on manually updating USCIS decisions in START. Before entering a USCIS result manually, RSC must request written approval by email from the appropriate USCIS Regional Desk Officer and PRM (not needed for FTJ-R or SIV or Category Parolee cases). RSC should record USCIS decisions in START only after USCIS returns the digital case file to RSC with digital Decision Letter, digitally approved or signed I-590, or instructions to close the case. Upload all USCIS documentation to the relevant applicant-level and case-level Supporting Documents tab. START will display one of the following Statuses for the USCIS Result Applicant Task for each applicant. Take the actions as described below. USCIS Result RSC Action Not Started Not Started is the default Task Status and indicates that USCIS has not interviewed or issued a decision for the case or applicant. If USCIS issues an Overturn result to reverse the most recent USCIS decision, the USCIS Result Task will show Not Started. Any reason for the Overturn result will appear on the Notes field in USCIS Results (see image below Table). After USCIS interview, some cases will continue to have a USCIS Result Task with a Status Not Started, until the case receives another Status Note (e.g., Refugee). The Status Not Started does not indicate that an Adjudicative Hold has been placed. Refugee Refugee Pending I-590 Stamp is a legacy value from WRAPS; neither USCIS nor RSC can Pending I-590 select this status. This value indicates that the case had the status of USCIS: Refugee (REF) Stamp with an I-590 Stamp status: No Activity (NOA) at the time the case was migrated from the WRAPS case management system. There is no separate I-590 stamp status in START. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USCIS Result RSC Action Recommended USCIS issues a Recommended Approval. However, it is NOT a final decision. RSC should Approval wait for USCIS to send a final decision before distributing a decision letter. USCIS’ reason for approval will automatically populate in the USCIS Results Applicant Task Record. See the Appendix for USCIS Decision Reasons. Applicants who received a Recommended Approval can continue with Medicals and Assurance. START will not allow these cases to proceed to RFD without a final USCIS decision. Recommended USCIS issues a Recommended Denial. However, it is NOT a final decision. RSC should wait Deny for USCIS to send a final decision before distributing a decision letter. USCIS’ reason for denial will automatically populate in the USCIS Results Applicant Task Record. See the Appendix for USCIS Decision Reasons. Applicants who received a Recommended Deny should not proceed with the other stages as they are unlikely to depart. RSC will update the case to an availability of Hold until the final decision is issued by USCIS. Recommended USCIS issues a Recommended Parole. However, it is NOT a final decision. RSC should wait for Parolee USCIS to send a final decision before distributing a decision letter. The USCIS reason for approval will automatically populate in the USCIS Results Applicant Task Record. See the Appendix for USCIS Decision Reasons. Applicants who received a Recommended Parolee cannot proceed with the other stages. RSC will update the case based on being recommended for Parolee. Recommended Recommended Decision Removed indicates USCIS has removed the recommended decisions. Decision The status will flip back to Not Started. This is not a final decision. RSC should wait for USCIS Removed final decision to proceed with the case. [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USCIS Result RSC Action Refugee USCIS issues an Approval (displayed as Refugee in START) when finding the applicant eligible for refugee status and the applicant has cleared all security checks. USCIS will review the case and linked cases (cases in any Case Group type) prior to issuing an approval. The USCIS reason for approval will automatically populate in the USCIS Results Applicant Task Record. See the Appendix for USCIS Decision Reasons. RSC should scan and attach (if received physically) the following forms within 30 days after receiving the USCIS Approval: USCIS Decision Letter for each applicant (eROP - print for the applicant) Digitally stamp or signed I-590 or USCIS Record of Decision for each individual applicant (digitally from Global; do not print) See USCIS Decision Letters regarding RSC staff delivering USCIS decision letters to the applicant(s). Effective dates will be present with a Refugee results status. Refer to Section 7.2.1 if there is an Adjudicative Hold Task with “Hold Placed” status on the case. Immigrant Immigrant indicates approved SIV. START does not send SIV cases to Global; thus Global will not send this value to START. This value is manually entered by RSC staff. Parolee USCIS will inform RSC, via a Parolee status in START, when Latin American or certain Afghans applicants are found ineligible for refugee status and have been forwarded for further parole consideration. Effective dates will be present with a Parolee results status. START does not send cases with the case Category of Parolee to Global; thus Global will not send this value to START for cases with the case Category of Parolee. RSC staff manually enter this value. See Processing Cases Granted Parole (Not Eligible for R&P Benefits). [Return to Top]  Control Number: USRAP-PG-RSC-04-v3.7 USCIS Result RSC Action Denied USCIS issues a Denied decision when an applicant is ineligible for admission to the United States (i.e., the applicant’s USCIS Form I-590 was denied and/or the applicant was denied parole). The USCIS reason for denial will populate in the USCIS Results Applicant task screen. See the Appendix for USCIS Decision Reasons. Effective dates will be present with a Denied results status. RSC should update the case Availability to Hold until the RSC distributes the Decision Letter. If denied: Allow Medical processing to continue (if Medicals Task = Requested) Cancel Assurance processing (if Assurance Task = Requested, Allocated, Meeting) Allow IAC, CLASS, Travel Fingerprint processing to continue; cancel SAO requests Cancel CO training Additionally, scan and attach the following forms within 30 days of the end of the circuit ride: USCIS Decision Letter for each individual applicant (eROP - print for the applicant) Digitally stamp or signed I-590 or USCIS Record of Decision for each individual applicant (digitally from Global; eROP - do not print) See sections below for more information on I-602 Waivers, Requests for Review (RFRs), and Split Decisions. For post-USCIS Interview denial procedures resulting from Not Clear Security Check results, see the Security Vetting Processing Guide. If the RSC still has not received an RFR within 6 months, follow the guidance to scan and pr