USCIS Denials Over Signature Irregularities: A Critical Compliance Alert for H-1B Filings
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has intensified scrutiny of signature compliance in H-1B petitions, leading to a growing number of Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) and outright denials. At the center of this enforcement action is the requirement that all signatures on Form I-129 must be valid handwritten signatures, either originally ink-signed or properly reproduced from an original, not electronically inserted or duplicated. Under 8 CFR § 103.2(a)(2), a valid signature is defined as one made by hand on the original document. During the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS allowed temporary flexibility in accepting photocopies, scans, or faxes of documents containing original handwritten signatures—but the original had to be physically signed by hand [USCIS COVID Signature Policy]. Importantly, this flexibility did not authorize the use of electronically pasted images of signatures, nor the use of identical signature copies across multiple pages. In recent adjudications, USCIS identified multiple I-129 petitions in which all required signatures appeared identical across pages, suggesting the use of a scanned image or digital copy. USCIS emphasized that such uniformity is inconsistent with the natural variation of genuine ink signatures and determined these signatures were not compliant with applicable regulations and instructions. The agency concluded that the petitions had not been properly signed and therefore could not be adjudicated favorably. USCIS further clarified that:Access insight, news and updates from across the Thomas V. Allen
Beginning today, Jan. 22, 2018, USCIS will email notifications of receipt and approval to H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) petitioners who fileForm I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. Also starting today, USCIS will use pre-paid mailers provided by H-2A petitioners to send requests for evidence (RFE) if issued in a case. These process changes apply only […]
On Jan. 22, 2018, four USCIS field offices and one service center will participate in a 10-day pilot to issue redesigned citizenship and naturalization certificates to U.S. citizens. The pilot sites are: Norfolk Field Office Tampa Field Office Minneapolis-St. Paul Field Office Sacramento Field Office Nebraska Service Center The redesign is part of an ongoing […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will now accept credit card payments for filing most of its forms. The new payment option is available for the 41 fee-based forms processed at USCIS Lockbox facilities. To pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover, applicants will need to use Form […]