USCIS Updates Policy Manual Guidance on Attorneys and Representatives
Published Jul 13, 2026
USCIS issued updated Policy Manual guidance on July 13, 2026 regarding attorneys and representatives. The update consolidates guidance previously found in the Adjudicator's Field Manual into the Policy Manual.
Key points
- The update affects all five chapters of Volume 1, Part D of the Policy Manual.
- Chapters cover purpose and background, representation, other representatives, establishing and changing representation, and professional conduct and reporting misconduct.
- The change consolidates and updates guidance formerly contained in the Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM).
- The source does not specify what substantive changes were made or when the guidance takes effect.
Who is affected
Attorneys, accredited representatives, and applicants who use representation in USCIS proceedings.
What to do
Review the relevant chapters of Volume 1, Part D of the USCIS Policy Manual for details on representation rules and professional conduct.
Full text
The complete official text was archived on this site on 2026-10-12. It stays available here even if the source link changes or is removed.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services www.uscis.gov U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of the Director Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009 PA-2026-04 July 13, 2026 Policy Alert SUBJECT: Attorne ys and Representatives Purpose U.S. C itizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding attorneys and representatives, consolidating and updating guidance that was previously contained in the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM).
Background Only certain representatives can provide representation before USCIS.1 Practitioners’ behavior when representing a person or client must be within the bounds of the law and in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. Disciplinary measures may be sought against attorneys and accredited representatives when they do not adhere to professional conduct requirements. This guidance, contained in Volume 1 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after the publication date. This policy update supersedes the guidance found in Chapter 12 of the AFM, related AFM appendices, and related policy memoranda. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior guidance. Policy Highlights
Explains expectations for the professional conduct of practitioners, grounds for discipline, and procedures for reporting criminal, unethical, or unprofessional conduct or frivolous behavior (such as immigration fraud) by practitioners or organizations.
Clarifies who may serve as representatives and who may provide other assistance and related responsibilities, requirements, and limitations.
Provides information on benefit requestors’ responsibilities if they choose to have representation.
Explains requirements for establishing, changing, and withdrawing representation. 1 See 8 CFR 292.1(a) and 8 CFR 1.2. See Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative (Form G-28).
PA-2026-04: Attorneys and Representatives Page: 2 Summary of Changes Affected Section: Volume 1, General Policies and Procedures
A dds new Part D (Attorneys and Representatives) USCIS may also make other minor technical, stylistic, and conforming changes consistent with this update.
Citation Volume 1: General Policies and Procedures, Part D, Attorneys and Representatives [1 USCIS-PM D] (Chapters 1-5).
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This summary was produced with AI from the official announcement. Only the official source is authoritative.