On June 18, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced initiatives to enhance the efficiency of obtaining employment-based nonimmigrant visas for U.S. college graduates with job offers. This effort aims to expedite visa processing for eligible individuals. As part of these measures, the Department will provide clearer guidelines to consular officers on recommending waivers of ineligibility to the Department of Homeland Security…
USCIS has recently implemented a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) that extends the auto-extension period for certain employment authorization documents from 180 days to 540 days. The 180-day auto-extension period specified in the regulations is often insufficient to address delays in EAD adjudication, leading to work authorization disruptions for many individuals, including vulnerable populations like refugees and Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries,…
The White House has unveiled a set of fresh initiatives aimed at bolstering border security. These measures encompass the expansion of Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM), the strengthening of the DHS’s facilities for detainment and processing, expeditious processing for parolees who have arranged appointments through CBP One for their EADs, and additional measures. USCIS is set to extend the maximum…
In order to meet the H-1B numerical allocations for FY 2024, USCIS has randomly selected additional registrations from the pool of properly submitted registrations. Those selected have been notified and are allowed to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the specified beneficiaries. Only selected registrations are eligible for filing, within a 90-day period, by paper submission along with the relevant registration…
In May 2022, the USCIS introduced a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) due to recognizing significant operational challenges that were causing extensive delays in processing Form I-765 applications. These delays were often exceeding 180 days, leading to gaps in employment authorization and causing eligible applicants to lose their jobs. Under this TFR, found in 8 CFR 274a(d)(5), certain renewal applicants were…
Earlier this year, USCIS introduced premium processing for F-1 students applying for optional practical training (OPT) or STEM OPT extensions. As students started submitting premium processing requests, stakeholders raised concerns about delays in receiving their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). In response, the CIS Ombudsman’s Office issued a reminder providing more details about the timeline for F-1 students who filed Form…
