The bottom line. DHS issued a technical amendment to the immigration bond regulation (8 CFR 103.6), removing specific form numbers and legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service job titles. The rule is effective August 6, 2026.
The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 10, 2026, making non-substantive technical revisions to its immigration bond regulation at 8 CFR 103.6. The agency said the changes are editorial in nature and do not impose new regulatory requirements.
The amendment removes specific form numbers from the regulatory text, replacing them with descriptions of the necessary forms, and eliminates legacy job titles such as "district director," "regional director," and "Service officer" in favor of "designated official" and "immigration officer." DHS also updated the authority citation for 8 CFR part 103 to reflect a comprehensive list of legal authorities.
DHS said the changes are intended to avoid frequent amendments to the CFR when form numbers and names change.
What the Rule Changes
The rule revises paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2)(i), and (c)(1) of 8 CFR 103.6. Surety bonds posted in immigration cases must now be executed on "a form designated by DHS" rather than a specific form number. Bond riders are likewise to be prepared on a DHS-designated form.
The amendment also clarifies that aliens may request cancellation of a public charge bond using a form designated by DHS. If that form is not filed, the public charge bond remains in effect until the form is filed and USCIS reviews the evidence and renders a decision.
Legacy Titles Removed
The rule replaces the legacy INS job titles with generic terms because not every DHS component that accepts, monitors, and cancels immigration bonds uses those titles. The phrase "designated official" now appears where "district directors" was previously used, and "immigration officer" replaces "Service officer."
Procedural Status
DHS determined the rule is exempt from notice-and-comment rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act, citing both the procedural nature of the changes and good cause. The agency also found good cause to make the rule effective upon publication under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
What This Means Right Now
Obligors posting immigration bonds will use DHS-designated forms rather than forms identified by specific numbers in the regulation.
Aliens seeking cancellation of a public charge bond after the fifth anniversary of admission or adjustment of status must file a DHS-designated form to trigger USCIS review.
Bond breach determinations will be made by the designated official having custody of the file, with notification on DHS-designated cancelled or breached immigration bond forms.
No substantive regulatory requirements changed; the amendment is editorial in nature.