USCIS 2026 Alert: Attorneys Must Attend Covered Interviews In Person Starting May 18

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant procedural change affecting legal representation at immigration interviews. Beginning May 18, 2026, attorneys and accredited representatives will generally be prohibited from attending covered interviews remotely via phone or video call. Under the new policy, legal representatives who wish to participate in their clients' USCIS interviews must appear in person. USCIS has indicated that limited exceptions may exist, but the agency has not yet publicly defined what those circumstances will be, leaving attorneys and applicants without full clarity on the scope of any exemptions. This change has direct implications for EB-3 applicants, particularly those who have adjustment of status interviews scheduled on or after May 18, 2026. Applicants are strongly advised to coordinate with their immigration attorneys well in advance to confirm in-person availability and ensure no scheduling conflicts arise. For EB-3 applicants who rely on attorneys based in different cities or states, this policy shift could increase legal costs related to travel and may narrow the pool of available legal representation for certain interview locations. Applicants with upcoming USCIS interviews should contact their legal representatives immediately to discuss how this requirement will affect their case, and monitor USCIS channels for further guidance on any defined exceptions.