WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated measures to fortify safeguards for temporary workers participating in the H-2A temporary agricultural and H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker programs (H-2 programs). In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published today, DHS aims to modernize and enhance the efficiency of the H-2 programs, providing increased flexibility and protections for participating workers.
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USCIS Extends Employment Authorization Document Validity Period for Specific Categories
Effective immediately, the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs is extended to 5 years for specific noncitizens who are employment authorized incident to status or circumstance. This includes individuals admitted as refugees, paroled as refugees, granted asylum, and recipients of withholding of removal.
Updates on H-1B Cap Season for Fiscal Year 2024
Dear Stakeholders,
We would like to provide important information regarding the H-1B Cap Season for Fiscal Year 2024. Please find below updates on the H-1B initial electronic registration selection process and subsequent filing procedures:
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed:
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has successfully received a sufficient number of electronic registrations during the initial registration period to meet the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B numerical allocations, including the master's cap.
Revised Filing Location for U Nonimmigrant-Based Form I-485
We would like to inform U nonimmigrants seeking lawful permanent residency that there has been an update regarding the filing location for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Henceforth, all U nonimmigrant-based Form I-485 applications must be submitted to the Nebraska Service Center exclusively, and no longer to the Vermont Service Center.
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Safe Mailing Address and Case Handling Procedures for Certain Protected Persons
ALERT: The effective date for the updated USCIS policy guidance on mailing address procedures for persons eligible for and recipients of victim-based immigration relief, specifically Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners, and those seeking or currently holding T or U nonimmigrant status (protected persons) has been revised.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance in its Policy Manual to provide clarification regarding the types of evidence considered for determining eligibility in the extraordinary ability (E11) and outstanding professor or researcher (E12) categories of the EB-1 immigrant visa classifications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance in its Policy Manual to provide clarification regarding the types of evidence considered for determining eligibility in the extraordinary ability (E11) and outstanding professor or researcher (E12) categories of the EB-1 immigrant visa classifications.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from November 4, 2023, through May 3, 2025.
This decision is due to the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary conditions in South Sudan that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides details on how to register as a new or current beneficiary for TPS under South Sudan’s extension and redesignation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the re-registration periods for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan from 60 days to 18 months.
The new re-registration periods are as follows:
El Salvador: Now extended through March 9, 2025.
Haiti: Now extended through August 3, 2024.
Honduras: Now extended through July 5, 2025.
Nepal: Now extended through June 24, 2025.
Nicaragua: Now extended through July 5, 2025.
Sudan: Now extended through April 19, 2025.
This extension allows TPS beneficiaries to submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at any time during the 18-month extensions for these six countries.
USCIS Announces FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period and Online Filing of H-1B Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a final rule to reinforce integrity measures within the H-1B program, focusing on the FY 2025 H-1B cap initial registration period. Additionally, USCIS has unveiled an online filing option for Forms I-129 and I-907 for H-1B petitioners.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a final rule to adjust select immigration and naturalization benefit request fees
Marking the first fee adjustment since 2016. Published today, the final rule aims to enhance USCIS's financial recovery and facilitate more expeditious processing of new applications.
The rule, arising from a comprehensive fee review mandated by law, comes after the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking in January 2023. The review identified a significant shortfall in the current fee schedule's capacity to cover the agency's operational costs, including expanding humanitarian programs, mandated pay raises, staffing needs, and essential investments.
