UNITED STATES — The United States has introduced a new immigration policy that gives officials broader authority to reject incomplete immigration applications without first giving applicants an opportunity to submit missing documents or additional evidence. The updated policy, implemented by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on August 5, applies to a wide range of immigration applications, including green cards, work permits, US citizenship, travel documents and requests to change immigration status. According to the agency, the earlier approach enabled some applicants to submit incomplete or placeholder applications to secure temporary immigration benefits, including work authorisation, while gathering the remaining documentation. Instead, it changes how immigration officers process applications that are incomplete or unsupported by sufficient evidence at the time of submission. The updated policy applies to all eligible immigration applications that were pending or filed on or after August 5, unless a specific law or existing USCIS regulation provides otherwise.