Release Date: 02/09/2024

In the fiscal year 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State collaborated to address the evolving needs of U.S. employers, enhance immigration services, and fulfill the agency's humanitarian mission.

Release Date: 02/09/2024 

In a groundbreaking achievement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released data showcasing its remarkable performance in fiscal year (FY) 2023. The agency has demonstrated substantial progress in key areas, including customer experience enhancement, employment-based immigration, naturalization processes, and humanitarian efforts.

We want to bring to your attention the recent development regarding the loss of recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). This decision, effective Aug. 19, 2022, has significant implications for certain immigration-related student programs and applicants, particularly those associated with English language study, 24-month STEM OPT extension, H-1B, and I-140 petitions.

In response to recent legislation, USCIS is implementing special provisions for certain Afghan and Ukrainian parolees, ensuring they receive benefits similar to refugees. The legislation specifies that covered parolees are eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and benefits available to refugees under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157).

Effective Nov.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the availability of online filing for Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, for certain affirmative asylum applicants. While USCIS continues to accept the latest paper version of the form by mail, this expansion of online filing aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness for both the agency and stakeholders.

WASHINGTON – Today, USCIS unveiled its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 progress report (PDF, 1.08 MB), showcasing significant accomplishments in backlog reduction, support for humanitarian missions, and fiscal responsibility. The report provides a comprehensive overview of USCIS initiatives, including efforts to strengthen fiscal stability, implement adjudicatory efficiencies, enact policy measures, and execute agency-wide backlog reduction strategies.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security has officially announced the commencement of the registration process for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopia. A Federal Register notice has been posted, offering crucial information on how individuals can register for TPS under Ethiopia's recent designation.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing a policy update to automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have applied for naturalization.

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.

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.