USCIS Again Extends Temporary Final Rule Providing Interpreters at Asylum Interviews

To continue to keep our workforce and applicants safe during the COVID-19 global pandemic while maintaining efficiency and providing access to the asylum process, USCIS is again extending the temporary rule requiring use of a USCIS interpreter at asylum interviews, to March 16, 2022.

On Sept. 17, 2021, USCIS published another extension, which includes a modification, to the temporary final rule (TFR) that requires certain asylum applicants to use our contract telephonic interpreters instead of bringing their own interpreters to their asylum interview. The TFR extends the requirement through March 16, 2022. The modification provides that in limited circumstances, if a USCIS interpreter is not available, we will either reschedule the interview or, at our discretion, allow the applicant to provide an interpreter.

USCIS contract interpreters are available in 47 languages, listed on the TFR webpage. There is no fee to use a government-provided interpreter. If the applicant does not speak English or any of the 47 languages listed, they must bring their own interpreter to an affirmative asylum interview.

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