Mandatory Electronic Filing (e-Filing)

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security 8 CFR Parts 1, 103, and 106 [CIS No. 2853-26; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0232] RIN 1615-AD19 ( printed page 51924) AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS. ACTION: Interim final rule (IFR) with request for comments. SUMMARY: This interim final rule (IFR) amends U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to provide: USCIS may require mandatory electronic filing (e-filing) of certain benefit requests; the process USCIS will follow to require a benefit request to be e-filed; and how a waiver of the e-filing requirement for those individuals unable to file electronically may be requested. This rule is intended to increase digital intake and processing to move USCIS and requestors from a mostly paper process to an electronic process and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system and the security of the United States. DATES: This IFR is effective August 11, 2026. Comments must be received on or before October 13, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day. Comments on the Paperwork Reduction Act section of this interim final rule must be submitted by October 13, 2026. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the entirety of this interim final rule package, identified by DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0232, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . A summary of this rule found above may also be found at https:…