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USCIS Probationary Reinstatements
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a Temporary Restraining Order in Maryland, et al v. United States Dep’t of Agriculture, et al, No. 25-cv-00748, Docket No. 43 (D. Md.) on March 13, 2025.
USCIS Assisted in the Investigation of a Broward Woman Charged in Scheme to Submit Fraudulent Asylum Applications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation of a recent Justice Department announcement of a Broward County resident arraigned on a federal indictment charging her with submission of a fraudulent asylum applications to USCIS.
Chicago Businessman Indicted on Immigration Fraud Charges
A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly providing false and fraudulent information to U.S. authorities to obtain immigration benefits for his foreign national clients, following an investigation assisted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
USCIS Assisted in Investigation Leading to the Arrest of Central Coast Woman on Complaint Alleging She Created Hundreds of Bogus Medical Documents for Immigration Applicants
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation of a San Luis Obispo County woman arrested on a federal criminal complaint last month.
USCIS Assisted in Case Resulting in Bronx Former Attorney Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Large-Scale Immigration Fraud
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in a case resulting in the sentencing of a Bronx-based former immigration attorney.
Update on TPS for Haiti
On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem partially vacated the July 1, 2024, notice that extended and redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Tools Outage
USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Contact Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 at 11:50 p.m. through Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. Eastern.
FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7
Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025.
DHS Terminates the 2023 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status
After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer support the 2023 designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Update on Form I-134A
Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.
Naturalization Statistics
The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. During the last decade, USCIS welcomed more than 7.9 million naturalized citizens into the fabric of our nation. Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is an important milestone in an immigrant’s life. Candidates...
USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants
Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.
H-1B Final Rule, H-2 Final Rule, and Revised Form I-129 Effective Jan. 17, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule take effect on Friday, January 17, 2025, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs.
USCIS Updates Guidance on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its policy guidance to clarify how we evaluate eligibility for the second preference employment-based (EB-2) classification for immigrant petitions filed with a request for a national interest waiver (NIW).
USCIS Updates Filing Procedures for Form I-140
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Federal Register notice (FRN) providing updated procedures for submitting a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, accompanied by a permanent labor certification, application for Schedule A designation, or national interest...
Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for the First Half of FY 2025
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025 with start dates on or before March 31, 2025, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final...
USCIS Offices Closed Jan. 9, 2025
President Biden has declared Thursday, Jan. 9, a National Day of Mourning to remember the life and legacy of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th president of the United States, and has issued an Executive Order Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on...
USCIS to Publish Revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
On Jan. 17, 2025, we will publish a revised edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date: 01/17/25). The form has been revised to align with the recently announced H-1B modernization final rule and the H-2 modernization final rule.
USCIS Updates Guidance on Flexibilities Available During and After Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating our Policy Manual to clarify flexibilities that may be available to benefit requestors during and after an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.
USCIS Updates Guidance on Case Assistance and Feedback
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it is updating Volume 1, Part A, of the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect the available avenues for case assistance or feedback.
DHS Publishes Final Rule for the Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings
As part of our continued efforts to deliver more timely consequences for noncitizens encountered who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States—efforts that have resulted in a 60% decrease in unlawful entries since June 4—the Department of Homeland Security has finalized the rule for...
DHS Strengthens H-1B Program, Allowing U.S. Employers to More Quickly Fill Critical Jobs
Rule will provide greater benefits and flexibilities for U.S. employers and specialty occupation workers, helping to meet U.S. labor needs
USCIS Issues Updated Guidance on Evidence for Applicants Under the International Entrepreneur Rule
We are issuing updated policy guidance on the types of evidence that may support an application under the International Entrepreneur Rule.
USCIS Revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
On Dec. 10, 2024, we published a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status, which includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting Feb. 10, 2025, we will accept only the 10/24/24 edition of Form I-485 and will reject any older editions of Form...
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B Cap
USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2025.