Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has introduced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at modernizing the H-1B specialty occupation worker program. This proposal seeks to streamline eligibility criteria, enhance program efficiency, deliver greater advantages and flexibility to both employers and workers, and reinforce integrity measures.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated measures to enhance the safeguards for temporary workers within the H-2A and H-2B temporary worker programs, both of which are designed to address labor shortages in the U.S. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), DHS has put forward a proposal to modernize and enhance the H-2 programs by granting more flexibility and protections to participating workers, ultimately improving the program's efficiency.

You may qualify to apply for immigration benefits if you fall into one of the following categories:

Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen:

Spouse of a U.S. citizen
Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen
Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old

Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories:

Family member of a U.S. citizen:

Unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen, 21 years or older
Married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen
Brother or sister of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old

Family member of a lawful permanent resident:

Spouse of a lawful permanent resident
Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a lawful permanent resident
Unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident, 21 years or older

Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)’s child:

Person admitted to the U.S. as a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-1 nonimmigrant)
Person admitted to the U.S. as the child of a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-2 nonimmigrant)

Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen:

Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen who was married to the U.S. citizen spouse at the time of their passing

VAWA self-petitioner – victim of battery or extreme cruelty:

Abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Abused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Abused parent of a U.S. citizen

You may be eligible to apply as an immigrant worker through various preference categories:

First Preference Immigrant Worker:

Extraordinary ability in the fields of sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
An outstanding professor or researcher.

You may qualify for immigration under specific categories if you meet certain criteria. These categories include:

Religious Worker: You are eligible if you belong to a religious denomination and are coming to the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization.

You may qualify for immigration under specific categories based on circumstances of abuse and cruelty, including:

VAWA Self-Petitioner: If you are a victim of battery or extreme cruelty, you may apply as:

An abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
An abused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
An abused parent of a U.S. citizen

Special Immigrant Juvenile: You are eligible if you are a child who has suffered abuse, abandonment, or neglect by your parent and have been granted Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status.

(a)Application. An application for adjustment to special immigrant status under section 101(a)(27)(I) of the INA shall be made on Form I–485. The application date of the I–485 shall be the date of acceptance by the Service as properly filed. If the application date is other than the fee receipt date it must be noted and initialed by a Service officer.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a policy update, found in Volume 2 of the USCIS Policy Manual, clarifying that a sole proprietorship cannot submit a petition on behalf of its owner. This decision is rooted in the fact that a sole proprietorship is not considered a separate legal entity from its owner.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), released new guidance aimed at providing support to stateless noncitizens residing in the United States. Stateless individuals are those who lack legal citizenship in any country, often resulting in difficulties accessing education, healthcare, employment, and legal identity.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has announced the reopening of an international field office in Havana, Cuba. This office will play a crucial role in providing U.S. immigration services, conducting interviews, and processing cases related to the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program and Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petitions.