USCIS Confirms Elimination of “Blank Space” Criteria

In 2019, USCIS changed the form rejection criteria for:

• Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal;
• Form I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended); and
• Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.

USCIS has reverted back to the rejection criteria that existed for these forms before October 2019. USCIS will no longer reject Form I-589, Form I-612 or Form I-918 if an applicant leaves a blank space.

However, applicants should be aware that we may reject these forms, or it might create delays in their case, if the applicant:

• Leaves required spaces blank;
• Fails to respond to questions related to filing requirements; or
• Omits any required initial evidence.