Analysis
What the official said
“The interim final rule allows USCIS to refer asylum applications to Immigration Judges without first interviewing the alien.”
Claimant: Joseph Edlow USCIS Director
Agency or office: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Context
USCIS issued an interim final rule, announced 2026-07-27, stating it will be able to refer affirmative asylum applications to DOJ Immigration Judges without first conducting interviews; the agency says the change aims to reduce the asylum backlog and the rule goes into effect immediately while public comments are accepted.
Evidence
The claim is a direct statement from USCIS's official news release. The agency's announcement explicitly says the interim final rule permits referral of asylum applications to Immigration Judges without first interviewing the applicant. Confirmation of the precise legal mechanics would come from the published interim final rule text in the Federal Register, but the press release itself clearly asserts this policy change.