New G-28 forms must be used after Oct. 30

If you hired a lawyer to assist you in an immigration matter, you will have signed a G-28 form, which informs U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that this particular attorney is representing you.

If you recently retained an attorney, you will be signing the revised G-28 form, which is effective Oct. 30. However, if the previous G-28 version is sent with your application after Oct. 30, it will be considered invalid and your case will most likely be delayed.

But don’t worry if your case is already in process and was filed prior to Oct. 30.  The previous version will be honored, as long as it was properly completed by an eligible attorney or accredited representative and received by Oct. 30. You do not have to replace it with the new version to receive updates or notices. You only need to sign a new, revised form if a new attorney is representing you.

USCIS made the announcement in the beginning of the month about the revised Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative (Form G-28) and the new Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney in Matters Outside the Geographical Confines of the United States (Form G-28I).

The Form G-28I is for use by attorneys admitted to practice law who seek to appear before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in matters outside of the United States. Acceptance by a DHS entity of a completed Form G-28I does not itself constitute approval by the DHS entity for the attorney to represent the applicant or petitioner in the matter for which Form G-28I was filed. The Form G-28I may not be filed for matters in DHS offices within the United States.

Contact your attorney to obtain the new Form G-28 and G-28I, or find the form as well as instructions for completing the forms at www.uscis.gov/forms.