8 C.F.R. § 207.5
Waiting lists and priority handling
Waiting lists are maintained for each designated refugee group of special humanitarian concern. Each applicant whose application is accepted for filing by USCIS shall be registered as of the date of filing. The date of filing is the priority date for purposes of case control. Refugees or groups of refugees may be selected from these lists in a manner that will best support the policies and interests of the United States. The Secretary may adopt appropriate criteria for selecting the refugees and assignment of processing priorities for each designated group based upon such considerations as reuniting families, close association with the United States, compelling humanitarian concerns, and public interest factors.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3
cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2017–2026 · leading case: Doe v. Trump, 288 F. Supp. 3d 1045 (W.D. Wash. 2017).
Doe v. Trump, 288 F. Supp. 3d 1045 (W.D. Wash. 2017). “s), (noting that section 207(a)(3) of the INA grants authority to determine the USRAP priority system), or pursuant to a duly issued regulation that permits the Secretary to prioritize certain refugee admissions based on appropriate criteria, including "reuniting families, close…”
Doe 1 v. Jaddou (D. Maryland 2025). “” 8 C.F.R. § 207.5 . □ In accordance with these statutory and regulatory directives, the State Department, in cooperation with the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, implements the United States…”
Pacito v. Trump (9th Cir. 2026). “8 C.F.R. § 207.5 . The priorities may be based on “such considerations as reuniting families, close association with the United States, compelling humanitarian concerns, and public interest factors.”
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