U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently released policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual aimed at providing clarity on the venues used for administrative naturalization ceremonies. This initiative aligns with USCIS's commitment to educating the public, facilitating donations of venue spaces, and enhancing transparency in collaboration for naturalization ceremonies.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing a filing location change for Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, in an effort to enhance efficiency within an increasingly electronic landscape. Previously, petitioners filed this form at either the Texas Service Center or the Nebraska Service Center, depending on their state of residence.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has successfully received the requisite number of petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-1B visa caps for fiscal year (FY) 2024. This includes reaching the regular cap of 65,000 H-1B visas and the master's cap, which allocates 20,000 H-1B visas for U.S. advanced degree exemptions.

In a recent Federal Register notice, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the extension and broadening of eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Hong Kong residents, accompanied by details on the application process for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

President Biden's memorandum issued on January 26, 2023, extends and expands DED for specific Hong Kong residents by an additional 24 months.

We are pleased to announce a proactive initiative wherein we are now actively generating and delivering documented evidence of immigration status to specific new asylees and lawful permanent residents. This process is triggered upon our receipt of notification confirming a favorable decision from an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). While individuals granted asylum and lawful permanent resident status are advised to reach out to the USCIS Contact Center for proof of status, it's important to note that USCIS may not receive notification in every case.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) wishes to inform you of a crucial update regarding interpreter requirements for asylum interviews. Effective September 13, 2023, it is mandatory for affirmative asylum applicants who are not proficient in English or wish to conduct their interview in a language other than English to bring their own interpreter.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is introducing modifications to Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, in alignment with the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. This Act brings substantial changes to both the filing and eligibility criteria for investors participating in the EB-5 program.

USCIS Grants Allocated Through Four Distinct Opportunities

USCIS has disbursed grants via four competitive funding avenues, addressing diverse facets of citizenship preparation and integration services for immigrants.

Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services: This opportunity finances public or nonprofit organizations providing citizenship instruction and naturalization application services.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the allocation of nearly $20 million in grants to 66 organizations across 35 states, marking a significant increase in funding for fiscal year (FY) 2022. These grants aim to support lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and individuals with a clear pathway to LPR status in their journey towards naturalization.

As of March 9, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has enriched its online resources available on uscis.gov to offer a comprehensive overview of temporary and permanent pathways for noncitizen entrepreneurs seeking to work in the United States.