Immigration News

by Jasmin Gamez on May 19, 2022 at 4:55 pm

THE TORCH: CONTENTSBy Emma Tynan, Sarah Kim Pak, Ignacia Rodriguez Kmec, Mark R. Warren MAY 19, 2022 In 2017, a high school sophomore named Alex doodled the name of his Honduran hometown and his high school mascot on a desk. This small action, which could have been addressed by asking him to wash it off, started a chain of events that led to Alex’s deportation from the United States. Source

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on May 19, 2022 at 2:27 pm

Phase 1As the first of three phases to enhance truck manifest functionality in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), ACE Truck Manifest – Phase 1 will provide a modernized trade-facing truck manifest User Interface (UI), accessed through the...

by USCIS on May 19, 2022 at 1:28 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan.

by USCIS on May 18, 2022 at 8:03 pm

Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur M. Jaddou and agency leadership participated in a virtual public engagement with nearly 2,000 stakeholders nationwide to discuss the agency’s efforts to reduce backlogs and improve processing times.

by USCIS on May 17, 2022 at 2:41 pm

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Contact Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 11:50 p.m. through Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 3:00 a.m. Eastern.

by USCIS on May 16, 2022 at 9:00 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced today the availability of an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas during the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022.

by USCIS on May 13, 2022 at 5:54 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published two new forms for regional center designation under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: Form I-956, Application for Regional Center Designation, and Form I-956H, Bona Fides of Persons Involved with Regional Center Program. Both forms are available on the USCIS website.

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on May 11, 2022 at 4:44 pm

For questions about the transition to the Modernized ACE Portal, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.Need to change your ACE Portal trade Account Owner? See "How do I change my Account Owner (AO)?" in the FAQs.U.S. Customs and Border...

by USCIS on May 6, 2022 at 8:45 pm

21 квітня Сполучені Штати оголосили про започаткування програми «Єднання заради України», яка є ключовим кроком у виконанні зобов’язання президента Байдена вітати українців, які рятуються від вторгнення Росії в Україну.

by USCIS on May 5, 2022 at 2:19 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to simplify and improve how the agency communicates case processing time data to the public.

by Juan Gastelum on May 3, 2022 at 10:31 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2022 CONTACT Email: [email protected], Madison Allman, 202-384-1279 Emily Morris, 213-457-7458 Majority Draft Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade WASHINGTON — Victoria Ballesteros, chief communications officer at the National Immigration Law Center and NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement in response to the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft majority... Source

by USCIS on May 3, 2022 at 3:55 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is honoring its dedicated workforce during Public Service Recognition Week, May 1-7. Celebrated during the first full week in May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week is a time set aside to honor those who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees.

by USCIS on May 3, 2022 at 1:04 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) that increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), available to certain EAD renewal applicants, to up to 540 days.

by Juan Gastelum on April 28, 2022 at 9:45 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2022 CONTACT Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149 Katie Hoeppner, [email protected] ACLU SoCal Communications & Media Advocacy, 626-755-4129, [email protected] Orantes Injunction LOS ANGELES — A federal district court on Wednesday ordered the U.S. government to turn over information sought by advocates on whether the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy’... Source

by Juan Gastelum on April 26, 2022 at 10:01 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2022 CONTACT Madison Allman, [email protected], 202-384-1279 WASHINGTON — Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s release today of an updated plan to end Title 42 expulsions: “The new DHS memo articulates a clear plan for ending Title 42 and... Source

by USCIS on April 25, 2022 at 8:08 pm

On April 21, the United States announced Uniting for Ukraine, a key step towards fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period of parole.

by Juan Gastelum on April 22, 2022 at 3:50 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2022 CONTACT Madison Allman, National Immigration Law Center, [email protected], 202-384-1279 Eleanor Donohue, Human Rights First, [email protected] Tara Tidwell Cullen, National Immigrant Justice Center, [email protected] WASHINGTON — Amid congressional efforts to bar people from exercising their legal and human right to seek asylum in... Source

by USCIS on April 18, 2022 at 7:33 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today two Federal Register notices on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine and Sudan. These notices provide information about how to register for TPS under each country’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Ukraine for TPS and the 18-month designation of Sudan for TPS.

by Juan Gastelum on April 15, 2022 at 3:08 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2022 CONTACT Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149 WASHINGTON — Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement of the designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS): “The designation of Cameroon for TPS is a significant victory which will... Source

by USCIS on April 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of April 14, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.

by USCIS on April 12, 2022 at 1:33 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that individuals who previously received deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) may now file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, online.

on April 11, 2022 at 4:00 am

by Emily Morris on April 7, 2022 at 6:22 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2022 CONTACT Email: [email protected] Emily Morris, 213-457-7458 Madison Allman, 202-384-1279 WASHINGTON — Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the 116th Associate Justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court on a 53-47 vote: “We celebrate... Source

by USCIS on April 7, 2022 at 1:49 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a policy update to adopt a risk-based approach when waiving interviews for conditional permanent residents (CPR) who have filed a petition to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status.

by Allison Mannos on April 7, 2022 at 12:00 pm

THE TORCH: CONTENTSBy Lisa Graybill APRIL 7, 2022 At the recent hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) asked Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson about her seemingly “conscious choice” to avoid harmful language in her legal writings to acknowledge the inherent humanity of all people who come before her court, including immigrants. “Judges are the only branch of government... Source

by Juan Gastelum on April 1, 2022 at 5:05 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 2022 CONTACT Email: [email protected] Emily Morris, 213-457-7458 Madison Allman, 202-384-1279 WASHINGTON — Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s announcement that it will end the Title 42 expulsion policy on May 23. Source

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on March 31, 2022 at 7:11 pm

Confidential Treatment of Vessel Manifest DataWhile U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cannot guarantee that the identity of parties to importation and exportation will never be published, CBP strives to afford confidentiality based on the...

by USCIS on March 31, 2022 at 4:38 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. These visas will be set aside for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022. 

by USCIS on March 30, 2022 at 3:14 pm

As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the USCIS service centers are now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for most forms.

by USCIS on March 30, 2022 at 1:35 pm

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain flexibilities through July 25, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors.

by USCIS on March 29, 2022 at 5:27 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).

by USCIS on March 29, 2022 at 1:55 pm

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is announcing a trio of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system.

by USCIS on March 24, 2022 at 1:29 pm

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are issuing a rule to improve and expedite processing of asylum claims made by noncitizens subject to expedited removal, ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted relief quickly, and those who are not are promptly removed.

on March 24, 2022 at 4:00 am

Today, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are issuing a rule to improve and expedite processing of asylum claims made by noncitizens subject to expedited removal, ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted relief quickly, and those who are not are promptly removed.

by Allison Mannos on March 23, 2022 at 11:28 pm

THE TORCH: CONTENTSBy Max Wolson MARCH 23, 2022 Initially, the Biden administration took some positive pro-immigrant first steps, such as ordering a review of federal immigration policy to develop “welcoming” policies, directing federal agencies to cease using dehumanizing terms, and rescinding the discriminatory Muslim and African Bans. While the administration has made important progress... Source

by USCIS on March 18, 2022 at 1:39 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address the documentation that certain E and L nonimmigrant spouses may use as evidence of employment authorization based on their nonimmigrant status.

by USCIS on March 17, 2022 at 3:56 pm

In the recently published April Visa Bulletin, the Department of State advanced the Date for Filing (also known as the application date) applications for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status in the employment-based, second preference (EB-2) category for India from Sept. 1, 2013, to Sept. 1, 2014.

by USCIS on March 16, 2022 at 1:02 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.

by USCIS on March 7, 2022 at 2:03 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to consider deferred action and related employment authorization for noncitizens who have an approved Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification but who cannot apply to adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) because a visa number is not available.

by USCIS on March 7, 2022 at 12:26 pm

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced new policies that will provide better protection to immigrant children who are victims of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or similar parental maltreatment.

by USCIS on March 4, 2022 at 9:41 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds the public that we offer immigration services that may help people affected by extreme situations, including the invasion of Ukraine.

by USCIS on March 3, 2022 at 10:33 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on March 3, 2022 at 7:52 pm

This document  provides guidance and explanations for errors returned on electronic data submitted to CBP via ACE.The table below provides quick links to all of the existing ACE message error dictionaries. This table will be updated as changes are...

by USCIS on March 2, 2022 at 8:44 pm

As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the USCIS service centers are now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for all forms except Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for H-1B and H-2A petitions.

by USCIS on March 2, 2022 at 1:27 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new designation of Sudan and an extension and redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.

by USCIS on March 1, 2022 at 7:33 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022.

by USCIS on February 28, 2022 at 7:46 pm

USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2022.

by USCIS on February 25, 2022 at 7:45 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched an H-2A Employer Data Hub to provide information to the public on employers or agents petitioning for H-2A workers.

by USCIS on February 18, 2022 at 7:42 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages eligible applicants to consider requesting to transfer the underlying basis of their adjustment of status application to the first (priority workers) or second (noncitizens in professions with advanced degrees or with exceptional ability) employment-based preference categories, because there is an exceptionally high number of employment-based immigrant visas available in these categories during this fiscal year (October 2021 through September […]

by USCIS on February 17, 2022 at 7:23 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would regulate how DHS applies the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The proposed rule would provide fair and humane treatment for noncitizens requesting admission to the United States or applying for lawful permanent residence from within the United States. DHS has posted an advance copy of the proposed rule. The official version will publish in the Federal Register in […]

by USCIS on February 10, 2022 at 7:02 pm

As we announced in November 2021, we have opened a new lockbox facility in Elgin, Illinois. We are beginning to transition incoming work to the new location.

by USCIS on February 10, 2022 at 3:35 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on eligibility, filing, and adjudication requirements addressing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions to update practices and align USCIS policies with recent court decisions.

by USCIS on February 9, 2022 at 2:05 pm

 Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur M. Jaddou announced the agency’s new mission statement. Last year, USCIS leadership empowered employees to submit words that they felt best illustrated the agency’s work. The new mission statement is a reflection of this feedback from the workforce, the priorities of the Biden Administration, and Director Jaddou’s vision for an inclusive and accessible agency. 

by USCIS on February 8, 2022 at 2:33 pm

USCIS is issuing updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how petitioners may demonstrate that they qualify for an exemption from the temporary need requirement for a nonimmigrant visa petition for a temporary nonagricultural H-2B worker on Guam and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) that falls under the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

by USCIS on February 7, 2022 at 4:48 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published updated policy guidance to change the maximum validity period that may be granted for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain applicants, as well as to provide general guidance on adjudicating Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

by USCIS on February 4, 2022 at 5:54 pm

On Feb. 6, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services joins other U.S. government agencies and the international community in calling for an end to the practice of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C).

by USCIS on February 3, 2022 at 2:44 pm

Yesterday, on the one-year anniversary of several executive orders (EOs) from the Biden-Harris administration aimed at restoring faith in our nation’s legal immigration system, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur M. Jaddou briefed national stakeholders on the agency’s efforts to implement these EOs.

by USCIS on February 1, 2022 at 3:41 pm

USCIS announced today that it is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding immigration medical examination requirements for certain Afghan nationals applying for adjustment of status after arriving in the United States under Operation Allies Welcome (OAW).

by USCIS on January 28, 2022 at 5:47 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 18, 2022.

by USCIS on January 27, 2022 at 2:45 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the availability of 20,000 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2022.

by USCIS on January 25, 2022 at 3:17 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how we determine whether a case warrants expedited treatment.

by USCIS on January 21, 2022 at 3:16 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance clarifying how it evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1A nonimmigrants of extraordinary ability, with a focus on petitions filed for individuals in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields, as well as how USCIS determines whether an O-1 beneficiary’s prospective work is within their area of extraordinary ability or achievement.

by USCIS on January 21, 2022 at 2:56 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance on adjudicating requests for “National Interest Waivers” regarding job offer and labor certification requirements for certain advanced degree professionals and individuals of exceptional ability.

by USCIS on January 13, 2022 at 3:04 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced clarifying guidance on how we determine whether an O-1B beneficiary will be evaluated as a person of extraordinary ability in the arts or as a person of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry when a case has elements of both.

by USCIS on January 12, 2022 at 7:19 pm

USCIS is reminding the public that we offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to, the Marshall fire in Colorado. 

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on January 4, 2022 at 7:39 pm

WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reached a historic milestone on Feb. 24 deploying the last of the major scheduled core trade processing capabilities in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). ACE streamlines the import/...

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on January 4, 2022 at 7:39 pm

The ACE system resumed cargo processing at approximately 10:00 p.m. EST last night and continues to process normally.  All transactions backlogged in the queue were processed as of approximately 1:00 a.m. EST.  Our technicians, in collaboration with...

by USCIS on December 30, 2021 at 7:58 pm

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020.

by USCIS on December 21, 2021 at 3:33 pm

The Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule that withdraws the Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions final rule, also known as the H-1B Selection Final Rule, issued Jan. 8, 2021.

by USCIS on December 20, 2021 at 4:52 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 20,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2022.

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on December 20, 2021 at 4:24 pm

*/ ACE Portal ResourcesACE Portal ModernizationNew!Managing an ACE Secure Data Portal AccountApplying for an ACE Secure Data Portal AccountACE Portal FeaturesACE Portal Training MaterialsTo access the ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal), a company...

by USCIS on December 16, 2021 at 1:44 pm

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is releasing preliminary fiscal year (FY) 2021 agency statistics and accomplishments. These preliminary statistics highlight important immigration trends and illustrate the work accomplished by USCIS in FY 2021. The agency will publish final, verified FY 2021 statistics in January 2022. 

by USCIS on December 13, 2021 at 10:22 pm

USCIS is reminding the public that we offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to, the recent tornadoes in Kentucky and surrounding states.

by USCIS on December 10, 2021 at 3:30 pm

USCIS is rescinding a November 2020 policy memorandum requiring interviews of all petitioners filing Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. Effective immediately, USCIS will return to its prior long-standing practice of making case-by-case determinations on whether to interview Form I-730 petitioners.

by USCIS on December 9, 2021 at 2:40 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), until Sept. 30, 2022.  

by USCIS on December 8, 2021 at 7:25 pm

USCIS announced today that it will automatically extend parole and employment authorization, if applicable, for parolees who timely applied for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) long-term resident status. 

by USCIS on November 29, 2021 at 6:59 pm

As of Nov. 29, all applicants eligible to file for TPS under one of the current designations may file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online.

by USCIS on November 23, 2021 at 3:21 pm

We are incorporating existing guidance from the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) into the USCIS Policy Manual.

by USCIS on November 22, 2021 at 2:33 pm

USCIS mistakenly rejected certain applications for employment authorization (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization) from petitioners for U nonimmigrant status that were filed without a fee (or request for fee waiver) from June 14 through Sept. 29, 2021.

by USCIS on November 19, 2021 at 7:28 pm

We recently determined that we needed to select additional registrations to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B numerical allocations, including the advanced degree exemption.

by USCIS on November 12, 2021 at 6:21 pm

We are planning to open a new facility in Elgin, Illinois, next year to expand our lockbox capability.

by USCIS on November 9, 2021 at 2:35 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in the next year.

by USCIS on November 8, 2021 at 9:17 pm

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will exempt filing fees and streamline application processing for Afghan nationals who were paroled into the United States for humanitarian reasons on or after July 30, 2021.

by USCIS on November 8, 2021 at 5:39 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will honor Veterans Day this year by holding more than 90 ceremonies naturalizing more than 4,440 current and former members of the military and their families.

by USCIS on November 5, 2021 at 3:41 pm

As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the California Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for O and P nonimmigrants.

by USCIS on October 29, 2021 at 3:31 pm

USCIS has expanded its guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual about Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) to clarify steps applicants must take if they cannot submit primary evidence of Liberian nationality to support an LRIF-based application for adjustment of status.

by USCIS on October 28, 2021 at 7:06 pm

USCIS reached a settlement agreement [PDF] in the case of MadKudu Inc., et al. v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, et al., No. 20-cv-2653 (N.D. Cal.). On Oct. 19, 2021, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division, granted final approval of the settlement agreement. This agreement outlines new, overarching guidance for adjudicating pending or future H-1B petitions for market research analysts.

by USCIS on October 22, 2021 at 5:35 pm

As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the Vermont Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for O and P nonimmigrants.

by USCIS on October 20, 2021 at 5:10 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing updated and comprehensive guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on adjudicating applications for T nonimmigrant status (or T visas) submitted by victims of human trafficking, including clarifying how applicants establish eligibility.

by USCIS on October 20, 2021 at 1:35 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today issued a Federal Register notice with information on how to apply for employment authorization for eligible Hong Kong residents covered under the president’s Aug. 5 memorandum directing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for 18 months, through Feb. 5, 2023.

by USCIS on October 12, 2021 at 8:05 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2022.

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on October 12, 2021 at 4:51 pm

*/ ACE Portal ResourcesIntroduction to an ACE Secure Data Portal AccountApplying for an ACE Secure Data Portal AccountACE Portal FeaturesThe following provides advanced details on how accounts may be structured and how Account Owners may go about...

by USCIS on September 29, 2021 at 6:34 pm

USCIS reminds employers of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Transitional Workers (CW-1) that, if you have a currently-approved CW-1 petition with a validity period of six months or more, you must file Form I-129CWR, Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers, with USCIS every six months after the petition validity start date.

on September 28, 2021 at 4:00 am

by USCIS on September 24, 2021 at 5:23 pm

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020.

by USCIS on September 24, 2021 at 3:27 pm

Waaxda Amniga Gudaha ayaa maanta daabacday ogeysiiska Diiwaangelinta Federaalka (FRN) oo ku kordhisay isla markaana dib u habeyn ku sameyneysa Xaalada ku meelgaadhka ah ee Ilaalinta Somaaliya (TPS) ilaa 18 bilood, laga bilaabo 18 Sebtember, 2021, illaa 17 Maarso, 2023.

on September 24, 2021 at 4:00 am

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the appointment of David L. Neal as the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) at the Department of Justice.

by USCIS on September 20, 2021 at 1:49 pm

On Sept. 20, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the award of $10 million in grants to 40 organizations that prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for naturalization. The grants also aim to promote prospective citizens’ integration into American civic life by funding educational programs designed to increase their knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics. Located in 25 states, these organizations will receive federal funding to support citizenship preparation […]

by USCIS on September 17, 2021 at 1:01 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day this year by welcoming 21,000 new citizens in 335 naturalization ceremonies across the country between Sept. 17 and 23.

by USCIS on September 16, 2021 at 6:44 pm

As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the Texas Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, with Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, or when filing Form I-907 to upgrade a pending Form I-140 to premium processing.