Foreign academic or vocational students in the United States may engage in employment under specific conditions, with employment authorization documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) based on their student status and the nature of the employment.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new Family Reunification Parole (FRP) process for Ecuador, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration's strategy to enhance legal pathways and reinforce immigration enforcement. The initiative aims to mitigate irregular migration and promote family unity, aligning with the objectives outlined in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection.

1. Applications: The Attorney General is tasked with establishing a procedure for considering asylum applications. This may include the requirement for applicants to submit fingerprints and a photograph, as determined by the Attorney General through regulations.

1. Eligibility: The Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General may grant asylum to an alien who applies in accordance with established requirements and procedures if it is determined that the alien qualifies as a refugee under section 1101(a)(42)(A) of the Act.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has released updated policy guidance in the Policy Manual, aimed at providing clarity on the eligibility criteria for EB-1 immigrant visa classifications, specifically for extraordinary ability (E11) and outstanding professor or researcher (E12). The guidance outlines examples of evidence that can meet the criteria or be considered comparable, with a particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields.

If your USCIS case is exceeding the normal processing time, you can check the estimated processing time on our website under "Check Processing Times." If your case has been pending beyond the indicated processing time, you may submit an inquiry for most applications.

1. Why isn’t my form or office listed?
   • If not listed, inquire after six months. Expect longer processing.

For filing various immigration forms, the USCIS Texas Service Center has updated its addresses for submission, depending on the type of form and the delivery method. These changes are crucial for ensuring accurate and timely processing.

Effective November 1, 2023, a change in filing location for H-2A, H-2B, CNMI-related Form I-129 petitions, Form I-129CW petitions, and CNMI-related Form I-539 applications mandates that these submissions be directed to the Texas Service Center. During a 60-day transition period from November 1, misdirected forms filed at the California Service Center (CSC) or Vermont Service Center (VSC) will not face rejection.

Effective from August 21, 2023, the USCIS Potomac Service Center (PSC) has initiated its relocation to a new facility in Camp Springs, MD. Consequently, the PSC will cease accepting paper responses for various correspondence types, including Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID), Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIR), Intents to Deny (ITD), Requests for Evidence (RFE), or supporting documentation related to pending filings at the PSC.

Commencing November 13, 2023, the PSC will no longer receive mailed correspondence.