DHS and DOJ have indefinitely delayed the effective date of a December 2020 final rule that would have defined certain emergency public health concerns as security bars to immigration benefits. The rule was designed to address security…
DHS and DOJ have indefinitely delayed the effective date of a December 2020 final rule that would have defined certain emergency public health concerns as security bars to immigration benefits. The rule was designed to address security…
Immigration judges will now conduct a fuller review of asylum officers' credible fear and reasonable fear determinations, including checking whether applicants face bars to asylum or removal. This technical clarification ensures judges…
Immigration judges will now conduct a fuller review of asylum officers' credible fear and reasonable fear determinations, including checking whether applicants face bars to asylum or removal. This technical clarification ensures judges…
USCIS is publishing a revised Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) on January 17, 2025, to reflect changes from the recently finalized H-1B and H-2 modernization rules. Employers filing nonimmigrant worker petitions should use…
USCIS is publishing a revised Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) on January 17, 2025, to reflect changes from the recently finalized H-1B and H-2 modernization rules. Employers filing nonimmigrant worker petitions should use…
USCIS is updating its Policy Manual to clarify what flexibilities may be available to immigration benefit requestors during and after emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. The update aims to provide clearer guidance on options for…
USCIS is updating its Policy Manual to clarify what flexibilities may be available to immigration benefit requestors during and after emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. The update aims to provide clearer guidance on options for…
USCIS is updating its Policy Manual in Volume 1, Part A, to reflect the available channels for case assistance and feedback from benefit requestors. The guidance clarifies how applicants can seek help or provide feedback on their cases.
USCIS is updating its Policy Manual in Volume 1, Part A, to reflect the available channels for case assistance and feedback from benefit requestors. The guidance clarifies how applicants can seek help or provide feedback on their cases.
DHS has finalized a rule that applies mandatory bars during fear screenings for noncitizens encountered at the border who lack legal status. The rule was proposed in May 2024 and is now in effect. DHS reports this is part of efforts that…
DHS has finalized a rule that applies mandatory bars during fear screenings for noncitizens encountered at the border who lack legal status. The rule was proposed in May 2024 and is now in effect. DHS reports this is part of efforts that…
DHS has issued a final rule strengthening the H-1B program with greater flexibilities for employers and specialty occupation workers. The new rule is designed to help U.S. employers fill critical jobs more quickly. Details on specific…
DHS has issued a final rule strengthening the H-1B program with greater flexibilities for employers and specialty occupation workers. The new rule is designed to help U.S. employers fill critical jobs more quickly. Details on specific…
USCIS has published updated policy guidance clarifying what evidence applicants should submit when applying under the International Entrepreneur Rule, which provides a pathway for foreign nationals seeking to establish startup businesses…
USCIS has published updated policy guidance clarifying what evidence applicants should submit when applying under the International Entrepreneur Rule, which provides a pathway for foreign nationals seeking to establish startup businesses…
USCIS has issued a revised Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) effective December 10, 2024, with updates to questions and instructions. Starting February 10, 2025, USCIS will only accept the 10/24/24…
USCIS has issued a revised Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) effective December 10, 2024, with updates to questions and instructions. Starting February 10, 2025, USCIS will only accept the 10/24/24…
USCIS has reached the congressionally mandated cap for H-1B visas in fiscal year 2025, receiving enough petitions to fill both the regular 65,000-visa cap and the 20,000-visa advanced degree (master's) exemption. No further H-1B petitions…
USCIS has reached the congressionally mandated cap for H-1B visas in fiscal year 2025, receiving enough petitions to fill both the regular 65,000-visa cap and the 20,000-visa advanced degree (master's) exemption. No further H-1B petitions…
USCIS now requires certain applicants to submit Form I-693 (medical examination and vaccination record) together with their Form I-485 green card application, or risk rejection. Previously, this form could sometimes be filed separately.…
USCIS now requires certain applicants to submit Form I-693 (medical examination and vaccination record) together with their Form I-485 green card application, or risk rejection. Previously, this form could sometimes be filed separately.…
DHS and DOL released a temporary final rule making 64,716 additional H-2B temporary worker visas available for fiscal year 2025, beyond the normal statutory cap. This emergency allocation is intended to address labor shortages in…
DHS and DOL released a temporary final rule making 64,716 additional H-2B temporary worker visas available for fiscal year 2025, beyond the normal statutory cap. This emergency allocation is intended to address labor shortages in…
DHS designated Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, allowing eligible Lebanese nationals already in the United States to live and work without fear of deportation. TPS provides protection from removal to nationals of…
DHS designated Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, allowing eligible Lebanese nationals already in the United States to live and work without fear of deportation. TPS provides protection from removal to nationals of…
DHS announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible for the H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (nonagricultural temporary worker) visa programs for the next 12 months. This annual eligibility designation affects which nationalities…
DHS announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible for the H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (nonagricultural temporary worker) visa programs for the next 12 months. This annual eligibility designation affects which nationalities…
USCIS updated its policy guidance to clarify that naturalization applicants must prove lawful admission for permanent residence only at the time they initially became a green card holder or adjusted status—not at every subsequent step.…
USCIS updated its policy guidance to clarify that naturalization applicants must prove lawful admission for permanent residence only at the time they initially became a green card holder or adjusted status—not at every subsequent step.…
USCIS has updated its policy to make medical examination documentation valid indefinitely for certain Afghan nationals who arrived under Operation Allies Welcome. This change simplifies the immigration process for eligible Afghan evacuees…
USCIS has updated its policy to make medical examination documentation valid indefinitely for certain Afghan nationals who arrived under Operation Allies Welcome. This change simplifies the immigration process for eligible Afghan evacuees…
USCIS has updated its Policy Manual guidance for T visas to align with a final rule on trafficking victim protections and eligibility. This clarification helps trafficking survivors better understand the requirements and process for T…
USCIS has updated its Policy Manual guidance for T visas to align with a final rule on trafficking victim protections and eligibility. This clarification helps trafficking survivors better understand the requirements and process for T…
DHS is announcing temporary immigration protections for eligible Lebanese nationals currently in the United States, allowing them to request work authorization. This new action provides temporary relief during the ongoing crisis in…
DHS is announcing temporary immigration protections for eligible Lebanese nationals currently in the United States, allowing them to request work authorization. This new action provides temporary relief during the ongoing crisis in…
USCIS has clarified its guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule, updating requirements for triennial increases in investment and revenue thresholds and explaining the biometrics appointment process. This guidance update helps…
USCIS has clarified its guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule, updating requirements for triennial increases in investment and revenue thresholds and explaining the biometrics appointment process. This guidance update helps…
The President issued a proclamation on June 3, 2024 suspending and limiting entry of certain noncitizens during emergency border circumstances, backed by an interim final rule from DHS and DOJ. The final rule now incorporates public…
High impactOpen for commentsExecutive actionFinal rule
The President issued a proclamation on June 3, 2024 suspending and limiting entry of certain noncitizens during emergency border circumstances, backed by an interim final rule from DHS and DOJ. The final rule now incorporates public…
High impactOpen for commentsExecutive actionFinal rule
USCIS has issued new policy guidance clarifying what types of evidence it will evaluate when determining eligibility for EB-1 extraordinary ability green cards. This guidance helps applicants and attorneys better understand which…
USCIS has issued new policy guidance clarifying what types of evidence it will evaluate when determining eligibility for EB-1 extraordinary ability green cards. This guidance helps applicants and attorneys better understand which…
USCIS clarified how to calculate age under the Child Status Protection Act for noncitizens in extraordinary circumstances. This guidance update helps families understand when a child may qualify for a lower visa priority date and retain…
USCIS clarified how to calculate age under the Child Status Protection Act for noncitizens in extraordinary circumstances. This guidance update helps families understand when a child may qualify for a lower visa priority date and retain…
USCIS reminds employers filing the I-140 immigrant petition for workers to pay the correct fees and provide complete information to avoid processing delays. Proper preparation of this form is critical for employment-based green card…
USCIS reminds employers filing the I-140 immigrant petition for workers to pay the correct fees and provide complete information to avoid processing delays. Proper preparation of this form is critical for employment-based green card…
USCIS published procedures allowing Liberians under Deferred Enforced Departure status to apply for work authorization valid through June 30, 2026. This Federal Register notice establishes the formal application process for eligible…
USCIS published procedures allowing Liberians under Deferred Enforced Departure status to apply for work authorization valid through June 30, 2026. This Federal Register notice establishes the formal application process for eligible…
USCIS reached the congressionally set cap for H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the first half of fiscal year 2025 on September 18, 2024. Employers seeking to bring in H-2B workers for positions starting before April 1, 2025…
USCIS reached the congressionally set cap for H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the first half of fiscal year 2025 on September 18, 2024. Employers seeking to bring in H-2B workers for positions starting before April 1, 2025…
Effective September 10, 2024, USCIS automatically extended the validity period of renewed green cards from 24 months to 36 months for lawful permanent residents filing Form I-90. This change means permanent resident cards will remain valid…
Effective September 10, 2024, USCIS automatically extended the validity period of renewed green cards from 24 months to 36 months for lawful permanent residents filing Form I-90. This change means permanent resident cards will remain valid…
The California Service Center relocated to a new facility on August 12, 2024, as part of USCIS efforts to centralize immigration benefits processing. This move is designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The relocation may…
The California Service Center relocated to a new facility on August 12, 2024, as part of USCIS efforts to centralize immigration benefits processing. This move is designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The relocation may…
USCIS opened a new international field office in Quito, Ecuador on September 10, 2024, to increase refugee processing capacity and facilitate family reunification. The office will support the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and help…
USCIS opened a new international field office in Quito, Ecuador on September 10, 2024, to increase refugee processing capacity and facilitate family reunification. The office will support the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and help…
USCIS updated its policy manual guidance on optional practical training (OPT) eligibility for F and M nonimmigrant students, specifically regarding STEM field OPT extensions. The updated guidance clarifies when students may qualify for…
USCIS updated its policy manual guidance on optional practical training (OPT) eligibility for F and M nonimmigrant students, specifically regarding STEM field OPT extensions. The updated guidance clarifies when students may qualify for…
The California Service Center moved to a new address on August 12, 2024, as part of USCIS operational consolidation efforts. The relocation is intended to streamline and concentrate processing operations in the new location. Applicants…
The California Service Center moved to a new address on August 12, 2024, as part of USCIS operational consolidation efforts. The relocation is intended to streamline and concentrate processing operations in the new location. Applicants…