DHS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register proposing amendments to USCIS filing fees on certain immigration and naturalization applications. Previously, USCIS stated that current fees do not cover operational costs to timely adjudicate USCIS immigration and naturalization benefits. For this reason, they needed a new fee schedule to avoid the accumulation of future backlogs. DHS announced that the…
Starting November 12, 2021, USCIS announced an important update that L-2 and E-dependent spouses are no longer required to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) to work in the United States. If L-2 and E dependents want to apply for an EAD as proof of work authorization, they are entitled to have automatic extensions of EADs for up to…
USCIS announced new designs to improve the security of Permanent Resident Cards and Employment Authorization Documents. USCIS started issuing redesigned cards on January 30, 2023. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain state-of-the-art technology that continues to safeguard national security and improve service for the applicants. Current cards will remain valid until their expiration date (unless otherwise noted, such…
The Child Protection Act (CSPA) is an immigration law that addresses the issue of minor children “aging out” of eligibility for immigration benefits. The Act provides relief to certain beneficiaries who would have otherwise lost their eligibility for immigration benefits due to their age. Under previous CSPA guidance, published in May 2018, USCIS only considered a visa available for CSPA…
ADIT stamp is a temporary proof of permanent residency that is placed in a foreign national’s passport or an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer. The stamp indicates that the individual has been approved for permanent residency and is authorized to live and work in the United States while…
Under U.S. immigration law, refugees and asylees who are granted asylum or refugee status must apply for adjustment of status to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs) after one year of continuous physical presence in the United States. However, it is impossible for a refugee to satisfy both this filing requirement and the physical presence requirement at the time of filing…
Biden Administration announced a list of policy changes at the border, including publishing a new proposed rule. The proposed rule would bar asylum for any person who had not previously applied for asylum in a third transit country before reaching the United States, as well as those who cross the border illegally. The rule would apply only to asylum seekers who, after Title 42…
Department of state announced that they will launch a pilot program later this year offering visa renewal options in the US for H-1B specialty occupation workers and other temporary visa holders who are currently required to travel abroad. The applicants will be able to renew their visas without leaving the US. The stateside renewal option will be available to H…
USCIS announced policy guidance to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances (also known as special student relief). USCIS is clarifying that it may grant off-campus SSR employment authorization for the duration of the Federal Register notice validity period, not to exceed the F-1 nonimmigrant student’s academic program end…
On January 27, 2023, USCIS announced that the initial period for the fiscal year 2024 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 17, 2023. Potential petitioners and their representatives will be able to prepare and submit their registrations by using USCIS’s online H-1B registration system. USCIS will assign a confirmation…
