The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) opposes the general elimination of money order and check payments for immigration benefit filings. This change was introduced by a USCIS alert on changes to the USCIS Policy Manual on August 29, 2025, to be effective as of October 28, 2025. The new guidance states that all applications filed October 28, 2025, or after must pay by ACH bank account payment, credit or debit card, or pre-paid card. No bank checks, certified checks, personal checks or money orders will be accepted thereafter.
On September 30, 2025, ILRC submitted this comment to USCIS to oppose the proposed changes to the N-648 and request that they be withdrawn. The changes create a series of substantial obstacles for naturalization applicants applying for a disability waiver of the English/civics requirement. The proposed changes create a form more than twice the length (10 pp.) of the current form (just over 4 pp.) that creates an undue burden on applicants and the medical professional who must complete the N-648. It also doubles the burden of time for USCIS adjudicators who must review this form.
The barrier that these changes would pose is prejudicial to eligible waiver applicants. Standards expressed in the revised form are outside any guidance provided by the statute, regulations and USCIS Policy Manual. The form purports to create law and invents barriers to eligibility in areas where no such law has been established by legitimate guidance.
The barrier that these changes would pose is prejudicial to eligible waiver applicants. Standards expressed in the revised form are outside any guidance provided by the statute, regulations and USCIS Policy Manual. The form purports to create law and invents barriers to eligibility in areas where no such law has been established by legitimate guidance.
On July 28, 2025, the ILRC submitted a comment opposing a new government rule that imposes massive civil fines—sometimes up to nearly $2 million—on immigrants who entered the U.S. without authorization or did not leave after a removal order.
On July 28, 2025, the ILRC submitted a comment opposing a new government proposal to add extra questions to nine immigration forms, including applications for naturalization, asylum, and green cards.
On July 24, 2025, the ILRC submitted a comment strongly opposing the government’s proposed changes to Form G-325A and related policies that end protections for three vulnerable groups: young people with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), stateless individuals, and immigrant workers in the Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement (DALE) program.
The ILRC strongly opposes new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy changes that end deferred action for youth approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).
On July 16, 2025, ILRC submitted a comment opposing a new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy that allows the agency to use “derogatory information” against immigration applicants without always disclosing it.
On July 7, 2025, the ILRC submitted a comment opposing a new federal rule that changes how the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) handles unaccompanied children.
On May 2, 2025 the ILRC submitted a letter signed by 115 organizations has opposing a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed rule to expand the information collected on immigration forms.
On May 2, 2025 the ILRC submitted a comment opposing a proposed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that would expand the collection of personal information from immigration applicants.