Immigration News

on June 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Today, a Mexican national and the co-founder of the armed, violent, and prolific Los Cuinis drug cartel was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in a major drug trafficking conspiracy.

on June 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Jean Morose Viliena, the former Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, was sentenced today to nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release by Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV for the District of Massachusetts for possessing and using a Permanent Resident Card he had fraudulently obtained by falsely stating that he had not ordered, carried out, or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.

on June 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A Mexican national and violent member of Los Zetas cartel was sentenced today to 35 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $792 million for conspiring to manufacture and distribute large quantities of cocaine and marijuana knowing that the drugs would be unlawfully imported into the United States.

by USCIS on June 18, 2025 at 6:43 pm

Defendant is an alleged gang associate who sold four pistols – two with defaced serial numbers – and more than 100 rounds of ammunition to gang members

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Steven Ovaldino Lorenzana Alvarenga, also known as “Chipi,” and Allan Mendoza, also known as “Carnes” and “Carnitas,” both of Guatemala, made their initial appearances today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia following their June 17 extraditions from Guatemala to the United States.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A Texas man is facing federal charges after allegedly purchasing powerful explosives in New Mexico and expressing plans to use them to harm law enforcement officers and government officials during riots in California.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

The Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against more than $225.3 million in cryptocurrency. 

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Douglas Wayne Cornett, 58, of Ruther Glen, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two federal hate crimes charges involving attempts to kill and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Thank you, United States Attorney Pirro. My name is Matthew Galeotti, and I am the Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, which is over the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

The owner of a Chicago laboratory has been sentenced today to seven years in prison for his role in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Jason Hanif Rehman, 40, of Rockville, MD, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison on one count of coercion and enticement after he used the Snapchat application to coerce a minor victim into sending him sexually explicit images of herself over the internet.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A twelve-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging nine members of the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC) violent street gang with crimes including a drug conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and  a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiring to distribute large quantities of pressed fentanyl pills, narcotics trafficking, identity fraud, and the illegal use and straw purchasing of firearms.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A Virginia man was sentenced today in Alexandia for his attempt to carry out a mass shooting at a Haymarket, Virginia church, for carrying a gun during that attempt, and for transmitting threats over the internet. Rui Jiang, 36, of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Jiang was previously convicted by a jury in March 2025.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A Colorado dentist was sentenced yesterday to 41 months in prison for tax evasion related to his use of an illegal tax shelter.

on June 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A former U.S. Army Sergeant whose last duty post was Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in western Washington pleaded guilty on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two federal felonies, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller.

by USCIS on June 17, 2025 at 1:10 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a key role in supporting a federal investigation that resulted in the indictment of two Texas residents for their alleged involvement in a large-scale immigration fraud scheme.

by USCIS on June 17, 2025 at 1:05 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services aided in the investigation that led to a federal grand jury indictment Wednesday charging Omoyoma Christopher Okoro, 51, a United States citizen born in Nigeria, with naturalization fraud.

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A six-count indictment was unsealed today in the Northern District of Georgia charging former Fulton County Jail Sergeant, Khadijah Solomon, 47, with using excessive force by repeatedly deploying tasers against compliant, non-resisting pretrial detainees on three separate occasions in January 2025 and writing false reports about each of the incidents.

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Today the United States is challenging a Kentucky regulation that provides reduced in-state tuition for illegal aliens. This law unconstitutionally discriminates against U.S. citizens, who are not afforded the same privilege, in direct conflict with federal law. The Department of Justice has filed the complaint in the Eastern District of Kentucky. This challenge builds upon a recently successful lawsuit against the state of Texas on a similar law.

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

An Oregon business owner pleaded guilty yesterday to not paying over employment taxes to the IRS.

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

A former Texas hotel manager pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Derek T. Gilliland to filing a false income-tax return. 

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Today, the Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest in support of the City of Huntington Beach which wishes to cooperate with federal immigration authorities but is prevented from doing so by an unconstitutional California law. On January 7, 2025, the City of Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach City Council, Police Chief, and Sherrif, sued the State of California, Governor Gavin Newsom, and California Attorney General Robert Bonta over the unconstitutional “California Values Act” […]

on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Bence Horvath, 47, a Spanish national living in the United Arab Emirates, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with conspiring to illegally export U.S.-origin radio communications technology to Russian end users without a license. 

by USCIS on June 16, 2025 at 4:38 pm

An Albanian national was charged with marriage fraud, and he and his wife, an American citizen, were both charged with making false statements on forms submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

on June 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm

on June 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm

by USCIS on June 13, 2025 at 1:34 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance to enhance the integrity of the review process for Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.

by USCIS on June 12, 2025 at 4:04 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on how we disclose derogatory information upon which an adverse decision is based.

by USCIS on June 12, 2025 at 1:31 pm

Since U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published new guidance on issuing Notices to Appear (NTAs) on Feb. 28, it has initiated removal proceedings against more than 26,700 aliens with no legal basis to remain in the country.

by USCIS on June 11, 2025 at 2:26 pm

A Brazilian national residing in Malden, Massachusetts, was recently sentenced in federal court in Boston for lying on his asylum application and at an immigration hearing.

by USCIS on June 11, 2025 at 1:26 pm

We are updating Volume 8 of the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a civil surgeon on or after Nov. 1, 2023, is only valid while the application the Form I-693 was submitted with is pending.

by USCIS on June 9, 2025 at 9:12 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today released a video message in which President Trump welcomes newly naturalized citizens into our “national family” and invokes the pride new citizens should feel to share a home and heritage with America’s most exceptional heroes and patriots.

by USCIS on June 9, 2025 at 4:59 pm

A member of the gang La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, recently pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiracy to participating in a racketeering enterprise, more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy.

by USCIS on June 7, 2025 at 12:51 am

On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an order lifting the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts’s April 14, 2025 Preliminary Injunction that stayed parts of the March 25, 2025 Federal Register notice titled, “Termination of Parole Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV).

by USCIS on June 5, 2025 at 1:36 pm

The Department of Homeland Security today posted a Federal Register notice on the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Nepal. After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate interagency partners, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem determined that conditions in Nepal no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS.  

by USCIS on June 4, 2025 at 4:27 pm

At the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are ramping up the review of immigration records and will take immediate appropriate actions to crackdown on visa overstays stemming from the Biden Administration’s failure to enforce the law.

by USCIS on June 3, 2025 at 4:04 pm

The Department of Homeland Security posted a Federal Register notice on the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon.

by USCIS on June 2, 2025 at 1:54 pm

A Colombian woman unlawfully residing in Boston has been indicted by a federal grand jury for identity theft offenses—including receiving rental assistance, Social Security, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits—as well as voter fraud under the stolen identity.

by USCIS on May 29, 2025 at 7:09 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to an Indian national, residing in New York, pleading guilty to staging armed robberies in furtherance of a visa fraud conspiracy.

by USCIS on May 28, 2025 at 5:07 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to a citizen of India pleading guilty in a marriage fraud scheme.

by USCIS on May 28, 2025 at 2:06 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the sentencing of a Mexican national for a smuggling and labor trafficking scheme and illegally reentering the United States.

by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on May 28, 2025 at 2:01 pm

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order May 28, against Zhen Fa 7, a Chinese-flagged fishing vessel. Effective immediately, CBP officers at all U.S. ports of entry will detain seafood, including but not…

by USCIS on May 28, 2025 at 12:23 pm

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the sentencing of a Maryland man for visa fraud.

by USCIS on May 22, 2025 at 2:27 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to ensure a single, reliable source for verifying immigration status and U.S. citizenship nationwide.

by USCIS on May 14, 2025 at 5:44 pm

Jacqueline Dianne Wallace, 52, a Jamaican citizen, has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint and charged with unlawfully making a false claim of citizenship in order to register to vote in the 2024 Florida presidential primary election.

by USCIS on May 14, 2025 at 1:33 pm

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced an indictment charging Yunier Perez-Bertemati, 40, with 22 counts of access device fraud, possessing and trafficking in unauthorized device-making equipment, aggravated identity theft, making a false statement on an immigration application, and making a false statement to a federal agent.

by USCIS on May 12, 2025 at 6:52 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance in the investigation that led to the arrest and unsealing of indictments charging Mohammed Aburidi 24, a Palestinian, and Tareq Aburidi, 19, also a Palestinian, with possessing firearms and ammunition as aliens admitted to the United States on nonimmigrant visas.

by USCIS on May 12, 2025 at 4:33 pm

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan. The TPS designation for the country expires on May 20, 2025, and the termination will be effective on July 12, 2025.

by USCIS on May 5, 2025 at 7:22 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the conviction of an Indian citizen for submitting a fraudulent immigration application.

by USCIS on April 29, 2025 at 7:04 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is aggressively working to ensure America’s national security by addressing vulnerabilities in immigration policies, reducing exploitation of humanitarian parole programs, and assisting enforcement agencies in identifying and removing illegal aliens.

by USCIS on April 28, 2025 at 5:14 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played an important part in an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office ​for Maryland, which led to the arrests in a nationwide marriage fraud operation.

by USCIS on April 24, 2025 at 7:04 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the sentencing of a Mexican national for a smuggling and labor trafficking scheme.

by USCIS on April 24, 2025 at 5:58 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) played a critical role in an FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) investigation that brought a would-be terrorist to justice.

by USCIS on April 23, 2025 at 2:30 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 19,000 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the early second half of fiscal year (FY) 2025 with start dates from April 1 to May 14, 2025, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2025 TFR).

by USCIS on April 22, 2025 at 1:12 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided key support to an investigation that led to a former refugee and legal permanent resident in Texas pleading guilty to charges of providing material support to ISIS.

by USCIS on April 18, 2025 at 3:16 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the sentencing of a United Kingdom man for making false statements in an immigration matter.

by USCIS on April 14, 2025 at 1:57 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation that led to the apprehension of 133 illegal aliens in New York between March 24 and 28.

by USCIS on April 9, 2025 at 1:34 pm

Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.

by USCIS on April 3, 2025 at 1:08 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today posted a Federal Register notice for public inspection establishing procedures for certain Hong Kong residents covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that will be valid through Feb. 5, 2027.

by USCIS on April 2, 2025 at 7:54 pm

BOSTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the apprehension of 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts between March 18 and 23.

by USCIS on April 2, 2025 at 2:59 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that it only recognizes two biological sexes, male and female.

by USCIS on March 31, 2025 at 2:43 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations for unique beneficiaries during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).

by USCIS on March 28, 2025 at 4:57 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services helped Homeland Security Investigations in a case of naturalization fraud, resulting in the indictment of Juan Antonio Ruiz, 47, a naturalized U.S. citizen.

by USCIS on March 28, 2025 at 4:13 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in an investigation that resulted in a postal worker being found guilty by a federal jury on charges of mail theft and bank fraud that illegally netted him more than $1.6 million and lying to obtain U.S. citizenship.

by USCIS on March 28, 2025 at 4:04 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services assisted in the investigation that led to the conviction of Jean Morose Viliena on three counts of visa fraud.

by USCIS on March 28, 2025 at 12:57 pm

A federal grand jury in the District of New Jersey returned a two-count indictment against a New Jersey man for falsely stating on an application for naturalization that he had never been associated with a terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced.

by USCIS on March 26, 2025 at 9:48 pm

USCIS received enough petitions to meet the H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2025. The filing dates for supplemental H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2025 are now available.

by USCIS on March 21, 2025 at 6:40 pm

This month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced the results of a yearlong federal investigation into illegal firearm sales across Massachusetts. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

by USCIS on March 19, 2025 at 7:29 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in a significant human smuggling investigation that resulted in the conviction of two men and the extradition of a third for their involvement in 53 deaths and 11 injuries in 2022.

by USCIS on March 18, 2025 at 7:25 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services assisted in the investigation that led to the arrest of a Brazilian national for selling fake Social Security cards and Green Cards.

by USCIS on March 17, 2025 at 9:13 pm

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a Temporary Restraining Order in Maryland, et al v. United States Dep’t of Agriculture, et al, No. 25-cv-00748, Docket No. 43 (D. Md.) on March 13, 2025.

by USCIS on March 12, 2025 at 6:04 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation of a recent Justice Department announcement of a Broward County resident arraigned on a federal indictment charging her with submission of a fraudulent asylum applications to USCIS.

by USCIS on March 11, 2025 at 6:27 pm

A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly providing false and fraudulent information to U.S. authorities to obtain immigration benefits for his foreign national clients, following an investigation assisted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

by USCIS on March 3, 2025 at 7:09 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation of a San Luis Obispo County woman arrested on a federal criminal complaint last month.

by USCIS on February 28, 2025 at 6:56 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in a case resulting in the sentencing of a Bronx-based former immigration attorney.

by USCIS on February 20, 2025 at 9:37 pm

On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem partially vacated the July 1, 2024, notice that extended and redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

by USCIS on February 18, 2025 at 3:41 pm

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Contact Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 at 11:50 p.m. through Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. Eastern.

by USCIS on February 5, 2025 at 9:07 pm

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025.

by USCIS on February 3, 2025 at 9:48 pm

After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer support the 2023 designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

by USCIS on January 28, 2025 at 8:37 pm

Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.

by USCIS on January 22, 2025 at 11:12 pm

Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

by USCIS on January 15, 2025 at 6:02 pm

The Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule take effect on Friday, January 17, 2025, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs.

by USCIS on January 15, 2025 at 3:02 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its policy guidance to clarify how we evaluate eligibility for the second preference employment-based (EB-2) classification for immigrant petitions filed with a request for a national interest waiver (NIW).

by USCIS on January 13, 2025 at 1:22 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Federal Register notice (FRN) providing updated procedures for submitting a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, accompanied by a permanent labor certification, application for Schedule A designation, or national interest waiver (NIW) request.

by USCIS on January 10, 2025 at 8:34 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025 with start dates on or before March 31, 2025, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2025 TFR).

by USCIS on January 6, 2025 at 5:03 pm

President Biden has declared Thursday, Jan. 9, a National Day of Mourning to remember the life and legacy of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th president of the United States, and has issued an Executive Order Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on January 9, 2025.

by USCIS on December 23, 2024 at 7:39 pm

On Jan. 17, 2025, we will publish a revised edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date: 01/17/25). The form has been revised to align with the recently announced H-1B modernization final rule and the H-2 modernization final rule. 

by USCIS on December 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating our Policy Manual to clarify flexibilities that may be available to benefit requestors during and after an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.

by USCIS on December 18, 2024 at 2:08 pm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it is updating Volume 1, Part A, of the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect the available avenues for case assistance or feedback.

by USCIS on December 17, 2024 at 10:41 pm

As part of our continued efforts to deliver more timely consequences for noncitizens encountered who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States—efforts that have resulted in a 60% decrease in unlawful entries since June 4—the Department of Homeland Security has finalized the rule for the Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings, following publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in May 2024.

by USCIS on December 17, 2024 at 4:22 pm

Rule will provide greater benefits and flexibilities for U.S. employers and specialty occupation workers, helping to meet U.S. labor needs

by USCIS on December 12, 2024 at 2:31 pm

We are issuing updated policy guidance on the types of evidence that may support an application under the International Entrepreneur Rule.

by USCIS on December 10, 2024 at 2:22 pm

On Dec. 10, 2024, we published a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status, which includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting Feb. 10, 2025, we will accept only the 10/24/24 edition of Form I-485 and will reject any older editions of Form I-485.

by USCIS on December 2, 2024 at 7:02 pm

USCIS has received enough petitions 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) 2025.

by USCIS on December 2, 2024 at 4:12 pm

We now require certain applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, with their Form I-485 or the Form I-485 may otherwise be rejected.

by USCIS on November 27, 2024 at 2:39 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a temporary final rule (TFR) making available an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2025.

by USCIS on November 26, 2024 at 2:58 pm

The Department of Homeland Security today posted a Federal Register notice designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months.