Refugee and Political Asylum News

USCIS to Open International Field Office in Quito, Ecuador

Release Date 

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the opening of an international field office in Quito, Ecuador on Sept. 10. The Quito Field Office will focus on increasing refugee processing capacity, consistent with USCIS commitments under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and helping reunite individuals with their family members already in the United States.

Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate

What does Refugee, Asylum and International Operations (RAIO) do?

They are responsible for:

  • Conducting protection screenings;
  • Adjudicating asylum and refugee applications; and
  • Adjudicating other immigration benefits both domestically and internationally.

RAIO is vigilant about fraud detection and national security, relying on careful vetting, innovative screening mechanisms, and sound adjudication.

USCIS Issues New Instructions for Filing Asylum Applications with USCIS After EOIR Dismissal or Termination of Removal Proceedings

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing new instructions for asylum applications submitted by individuals whose removal proceedings were dismissed or terminated by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

DHS Publishes Final Rule to Restore Asylum Regulations Consistent with Asylumworks Vacatur

Release Date 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced publication of a final rule consistent with the vacatur of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in  Asylumworks et al. v. Mayorkas et al. This final rule is effective starting Feb. 7, 2022.