TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a foreign state designated for TPS under the INA, or to eligible individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated foreign state, regardless of their country of birth. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Ukraine by 18 months,…
DOS posted the visa bulletin for August 2023. USCIS determined that for August 2023, all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart and all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart in the visa bulletin. According to August 2023 visa bulletin, visa numbers will still be current for Second preference (F2A) – spouses and…
Text Ahead Feature: With this feature customers can opt-in to receive text messages for escalated service requests. After a Tier 2 officer determines a call back is necessary, customers will receive a text asking if they can take a call within a specified timeframe. If the customer doesn’t respond or misses the call, the service item will be closed. Online…
USCIS now allows applicants to reschedule biometrics appointments online, eliminating the need for phone calls. The online tool is available to those with a USCIS online account. Please note that the tool is not applicable for rescheduling appointments that have been rescheduled two or more times, are within 12 hours, or have already taken place. USCIS also considers “good cause”…
In the case of ITServe v. DHS on June 27, 2023, the D.C. Circuit ruled that USCIS retains the discretion to review LCA-related matters when making decisions on approving, disapproving, or revoking H-1B petitions. Consequently, if there are changes in the place of employment that require the filing of new Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), USCIS may request new or amended…
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the expansion of myProgress (previously known as personalized processing times) to include Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. The myProgress feature offers applicants with a USCIS online account access to personalized estimates of their wait times for significant milestones in their case, including the…
USCIS celebrated Independence Day 2023 by conducting over 180 naturalization ceremonies between June 30 and July 7, welcoming more than 5,500 new citizens. These ceremonies reflect the agency’s commitment to embracing immigrants and promoting the benefits of U.S. citizenship. In FY 2022, USCIS welcomed 974,000 new citizens, and in FY 2023 so far, 588,900 new citizens have been welcomed. USCIS…
The upcoming update to the U.S. citizenship test has raised concerns among immigrants and advocates, particularly regarding the inclusion of an English-speaking section that may disadvantage test-takers with lower levels of English proficiency. The proposed changes by USCIS entail the addition of a speaking section, in which an officer will present photos depicting ordinary scenarios such as daily activities, weather,…
USCIS has provided confirmation regarding the submission requirements for both Schedule A and National Interest Waiver I-140 petitions on the new Form 9089 Application for Permanent Employment Certification. The petitioner or self-petitioner should include the following sections: • Appendix A (Foreign Worker Information) of the new ETA Form 9089. • Appendix C (Supplemental Information), if additional information cannot be accommodated…
DHS has issued a final rule allowing the DHS Secretary to authorize alternative document examination procedures for Form I-9. Furthermore, a notice was published outlining an alternative procedure for completing Form I-9 that eliminates the need for physical document examination. This alternative procedure is set to commence on August 1, 2023. Alongside this, USCIS has released an updated version of…
