ICE Seeks Comments on Form to Name Someone to Act for You
The government wants to keep using a form that lets people choose someone to help with their immigration case, and they want your ideas about it.
Affects: All immigrants · Source: Federal Register · Action may be needed
What happened
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has announced it wants to extend the use of a form. This form is called "Designation of Attorney in Fact/Revocation of Attorney in Fact."
This means ICE wants to keep using the form that allows people to name someone to act on their behalf in immigration matters. It also lets people take back that permission if they no longer need it.
This is not a new form. ICE is simply asking for public comments on extending its approval to continue using this existing form. The public has 30 days to share their thoughts.
By the numbers
- 1653-0041 — OMB Control Number for the form
- 30 days — Length of the public comment period
- 2 pages — Length of the official announcement in the Federal Register
The bigger picture
Before this announcement, ICE already used the "Designation of Attorney in Fact/Revocation of Attorney in Fact" form. This form helps people who need a trusted person to handle parts of their immigration case for them. It makes sure ICE knows who has the official permission to act.
Government agencies must get special approval to collect information from the public, like when they ask people to fill out a form. This approval needs to be renewed every few years. This announcement is part of that regular renewal process. The government wants to make sure the form is still useful and not too hard for people to complete.
What this means for you
All immigrants
If you have an immigration case with ICE and need someone to represent you, this form helps you officially name that person. This announcement means the form will likely continue to be available for you to use.
Employers
No direct change for you. This form is mainly for individuals who need to name a representative for their personal immigration matters with ICE.
Green card applicants
No direct change for you, unless you have a specific matter with ICE where you need to designate someone to act on your behalf. The process for applying for a green card itself is not affected.
Asylum seekers
If you are seeking asylum and have dealings with ICE, and you wish for someone to act as your representative, this form is important. This announcement ensures the form remains available for that purpose.
What you should do
- If you have used the "Designation of Attorney in Fact/Revocation of Attorney in Fact" form (OMB Control Number 1653-0041) and have ideas on how it could be better, you can submit comments to ICE by October 29, 2026. Otherwise, there's nothing you need to do right now.
Key dates
- 2026-09-29: Announcement published in the Federal Register
- 2026-10-29: Last day to submit public comments on the form
Words explained
- Attorney in Fact
- A person you choose to make decisions or act for you in legal matters, like a trusted family member or friend. They do not have to be a lawyer.
- Revocation
- This means taking back or canceling the permission you gave someone to act for you.
- Federal Register
- This is the official daily newspaper of the U.S. government. It publishes new rules, proposed rules, and public notices from government agencies.
- Public Comment Period
- This is a special time when anyone can share their thoughts, ideas, or concerns with the government about a proposed action or a form.
- OMB Control Number
- This is a special number given by the government to forms that collect information from the public. It shows that the form has been approved.
Common questions
What is an 'attorney in fact' and do I need one?
An 'attorney in fact' is someone you choose to act for you in legal matters, such as an immigration case with ICE. You might need one if you cannot handle your case yourself, or if you want someone else to speak or act on your behalf.
Is this a new immigration rule or form?
No, this is not a new rule or form. It is an announcement about extending the approval for an existing form that ICE already uses. The form itself is not changing at this time.
How can I give my comments about the form?
You can submit comments online through the Federal Register website or Regulations.gov. The announcement provides instructions on how to share your thoughts with the government.
Will this make immigration faster or slower?
The announcement does not say this will make immigration faster or slower. This is a routine administrative step for an existing form and does not change immigration processing times or rules.
This is a plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration attorney.