The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued essential guidance to aid stateless noncitizens residing in the U.S. who seek immigration benefits or submit other requests to USCIS. Stateless individuals, those without legal citizenship in any country, often face identity challenges, limited access to education, healthcare, job opportunities, and more. This new guidance aims to clarify the criteria and process for USCIS to consider an individual as stateless when evaluating their immigration benefits or other requests.

To implement this guidance effectively, USCIS will develop updated procedures and enhanced training for officers. Specially trained personnel will assist adjudicating officers in assessing an individual’s potential statelessness and provide advisory reports to consider when making decisions on applications or benefit requests. Additionally, USCIS officers will have access to specific documentation and evidence examples to assist in determining whether noncitizens may be classified as stateless for USCIS purposes.

Apart from supporting stateless noncitizens, this guidance will help USCIS collect comprehensive and accurate data on this vulnerable population. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 218,000 stateless people currently reside in the United States. With this new approach, USCIS aims to ensure fair treatment and improve support for stateless individuals seeking immigration benefits and other necessary services.

If you have questions about any immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We actively monitor updates to ensure our clients get the right advice for their specific situations.

Stateless Noncitizens USCIS