# USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 2: Record of Proceeding

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C2

## Section

- **Citation:** USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 2
- **Heading:** Record of Proceeding
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USCIS Policy Manual / Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures / Part E - Adjudications / USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 2

## Text

A. Maintaining a Record of Proceeding

A record of proceeding is the organized, official material constituting the record of any application, petition, hearing, or other proceeding before USCIS. A record of proceeding is typically contained within an Alien Registration File (A-File) or other agency file or electronic case management system, or a hybrid paper and electronic file. [1]

B. A-Files

A-files are a series of records maintained on a person that document the person's immigration history. A-files are created when an application or petition for a long-term or permanent benefit is received, or when enforcement action is initiated.

A-files may exist in physical format, or they may be created in digital format in various electronic case management systems, or they may be a hybrid of both paper and electronic files. [2]

A-files are stored and maintained by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for persons born less than 100 years ago. For persons born 100 years ago or more, A-files are transferred to and stored by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) .

Footnotes

[1] Information contained in a record of proceeding is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on the Privacy Act and confidentiality provisions, see Part A, Public Services, Chapter 7, Privacy and Confidentiality, [ 1 USCIS-PM A.7 ].

[2] Digitized A-files may exist in the Enterprise Document Management System (EDMS) or STACKS.

## Nearby sections

- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 1 Purpose and Background](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C1.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 2 Record of Proceeding](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C2.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 3 Jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C3.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 4 Burden and Standards of Proof](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C4.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 5 Verification of Identifying Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C5.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 6 Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C6.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 8 Discretionary Analysis](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C8.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 9 Rendering a Decision](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C9.md)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. E, Ch. 10 Post-Decision Actions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C10.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V1_PE_C2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.