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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Release Date January 26, 2024

The extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria ensures that approximately 6,200 existing beneficiaries can maintain their TPS status until September 5, 2025, provided they continue to meet eligibility criteria.

Release Date January 26, 2024

In a move to address the ongoing armed conflict and severe conditions in Syria, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria.

Release Date: 01/26/2024

A new procedure is being implemented for most applicants, petitioners, and requestors, along with their attorneys and accredited representatives, to submit payments for certain benefit request forms through mail or remote methods rather than in person at a field office.

Release Date: 01/24/2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an update to its Policy Manual, outlining that under specific conditions and at the discretion of USCIS, a nonimmigrant's failure to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request may be excused if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner.