USCIS restores officers' discretion to deny incomplete immigration requests

There is a government office in America called USCIS that helps people get permission to visit, live, or work in the country.

People who want this permission must fill out many important forms and send proof that they qualify.

In the past, if someone's forms were missing something, the office usually asked them to send the missing information before making a decision.

Under new rules, the office can now say 'no' right away if the forms are incomplete or don't show that the person qualifies.

The people asking for permission must prove they are allowed to get it.

The new rules started right away and also apply to people who were already waiting for an answer.

If the office sends a letter asking for more information to someone outside America, that person gets 14 extra days to reply.

The office made this change because some people were getting extra benefits, like permission to work, while they waited.

The office can still ask for more information when it thinks that is the right thing to do.