# 2026-16313: DHS Forces Immigrants to Ditch Paper for E-Filing Forever

2026-16313, Mandatory Electronic Filing (e-Filing), is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department published 2026-08-11, effective 2026-08-11; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16313
- As of: 2026-11-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16313
- Title: Mandatory Electronic Filing (e-Filing)
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department
- Citation: 91 FR 51924
- Published: 2026-08-11
- Effective: 2026-08-11
- Comments close: 2026-10-13
- Significant: yes (OIRA_API)
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1615-AD19
- Last updated: 2026-11-11

## In one line

DHS Forces Immigrants to Ditch Paper for E-Filing Forever

## 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.

## Effects PRIA read

- USCIS can require e-filing after 180 days: benefit, high. USCIS may require mandatory electronic filing (e-filing) for any benefit request that has been available for e-filing for at least 180 days. When USCIS decides to mandate e-filing it will post the requirement on its website and provide a 60-day grace period; mandated e-filing requires using a USCIS…
- Waiver process and new waiver fee established: mixed, low. The rule creates a process for individuals who cannot e-file to request a waiver of the e-filing requirement, and adds a new form and fee to apply for that waiver (with limited fee-waiver availability under 8 CFR 106.3). Requestors who seek a waiver may incur time, mailing, and fee costs to apply f…
- Estimated large net savings for USCIS filers: benefit, high. DHS estimates annual gross cost savings to requestors of about $533 million and additional annual costs related to the e-filing waiver form of about $15 million, for net annual savings to requestors of approximately $518 million. DHS also estimates an annual e-filing fee discount will transfer abou…

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## Sources
- [2026-16313 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/11/2026-16313/mandatory-electronic-filing-e-filing)
- [2026-16313 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-11/pdf/2026-16313.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16292, Amendment of Class E Airspace; Bedford, IN](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16292)
- [Next: 2026-16318, North Dakota Regulatory Program](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16318)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16313 (as of 2026-11-11).