USCIS has prolonged the temporary suspension of the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. This pertains to individuals requesting an extension of stay in or a change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant status.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued new guidance today, facilitated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to support stateless noncitizens in the United States seeking immigration benefits or having submitted requests to USCIS. Stateless individuals, those lacking legal citizenship in any country, face challenges in obtaining legal identity and encounter difficulties accessing education, healthcare, marriage, and job opportunities.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that specific individuals seeking parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit can now electronically file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. 

Eligible individuals for online Form I-131 filing include: 

Those requesting parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit for an individual outside the United States (under application types 1.e. or 1.f. on the paper Form I-131), excluding those seeking initial parole under USCIS family reunification parole processes (such as the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program, or Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program). 
Individuals already paroled within the United States who are seeking a new period of parole or re-parole (under application types 1.e. or 1.f. on the paper Form I-131) to remain in the United States.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released policy guidance outlining the eligibility criteria for both initial and renewal applications for employment authorization documents (EADs) in compelling circumstances, in accordance with existing regulatory requirements found at 8 CFR 204.5(p). 

To be eligible for an initial EAD based on compelling circumstances, an applicant must fulfill the following criteria: 

The principal applicant is the primary beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, falling within the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd employment-based preference category.

Commencing on July 31, 2023, the National Visa Center (NVC) of the Department of State will initiate the issuance of invitations for the family reunification parole (FRP) processes applicable to Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. 

On July 7, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced new FRP processes for these countries.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing additional guidance on the interpretation of changes to the EB-5 program within the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) implemented by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA). This guidance specifically addresses the required investment timeframe and the treatment of investors associated with terminated regional centers.

Release Date: 01/12/2024

In a significant move aimed at improving customer experience during the H-1B cap season, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revealed plans to introduce organizational accounts for non-cap filings and the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap season.

Release Date: 01/12/2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas designated for returning workers in the first half of fiscal year 2024, with start dates on or before March 31, 2024. This allocation was made available under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2024 TFR). The final receipt date for petitions seeking supplemental H-2B visas under the FY 2024 first-half returning worker allocation was January 9, 2024.

While the cap for returning workers has been met, USCIS continues to accept petitions for H-2B nonimmigrant workers with start dates on or before March 31, 2024. This includes the additional 20,000 visas allotted for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica (country-specific allocation), as well as those exempt from the congressionally mandated cap.

As of today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented changes to the filing location for certain affirmative asylum applications submitted by mail. This alteration is expected to streamline asylum processing and enhance adjudication efficiency by transitioning to a digital filing system.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the enlargement of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, offering financial support for citizenship preparation initiatives nationwide. The program, now open for submissions, allocates up to $25 million in grants to aid immigrants in their naturalization journey and foster civic integration by enhancing proficiency in English, U.S. history, and civics.