DHS Response to District Court Ruling Finding DACA ‘Illegal’
Consistent with this order, DHS will continue to accept the filing of both initial and renewal DACA requests, as well as accompanying requests for employment authorization. Keep Reading
USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to Form I-140 When Requesting Premium Processing
The goal of this pilot is to bring USCIS one step closer to accepting digital payments using a credit card at all service centers. Keep Reading
USCIS Must Focus on Digital Modernization Despite Financial Challenges, Says Ombudsman
Agency urged to harness innovation of the COVID era and build upon the virtual measures that helped business continue. Keep Reading
Statement from USCIS Acting Director Tracy Renaud in Honor of Immigrant Heritage Month
"We believe there is no better way to continue our nation’s long, proud tradition of welcoming immigrants than by providing equitable access to benefits through timely, efficient and fair adjudications." Keep Reading
USCIS Issues Policy Providing Further Protections for Victims of Crime
USCIS will issue employment authorization and grant deferred action to petitioners in the United States with pending U visa petitions that it determines are bona fide and who merit a favorable exercise of discretion. Keep Reading
USCIS Updates Policies to Improve Immigration Services
Under the updated expedite criteria policy (PDF, 293.62 KB), benefit requestors and USCIS officers are provided further guidance on when expedited processing may be warranted. Keep Reading
USCIS Announces Pilot Program for Credit Card Payments Using Form G-1450 When Filing Form I-485
The pilot program began on May 3 at the Nebraska Service Center and will be limited to this location. The service center started accepting credit card payments from certain Form I-485 applicants using Form G-1450. Keep Reading
USCIS Eases Visitor Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
USCIS has eased other requirements for fully vaccinated individuals who do not have COVID-19 symptoms. Those who have returned from domestic air, international air or cruise ship travel in the past 10 days may enter USCIS facilities if they are fully vaccinated. Keep Reading
DHS Withdraws Proposed Biometrics Rule
The Department of Homeland Security has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have expanded department authorities and requirements by codifying the authority to use DNA test results. Keep Reading
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Deference to Previous Decisions
USCIS is reverting in substance to prior long-standing guidance (PDF, 134.52 KB) issued in 2004, which directed officers to generally defer to prior determinations of eligibility when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts as the initial petition or application. Keep Reading
Updated USCIS Guidance on P-1A Internationally Recognized Athletes
The updated guidance describes relevant considerations for determining whether competitions are at an internationally recognized level of performance such that they require the participation of an internationally recognized athlete or team. Keep Reading
Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman’s Webinar Series: USCIS’ Online Filing and Customer Service Tools
USCIS offers a variety of online tools and resources for applicants and petitioners to find information without having to call or visit a USCIS field office. Keep Reading
Grand-Prize Winner Announced in Digital Wallets Challenge
The goal was to find a UI design that supports best practices for visual consistency, ensures security and privacy, is interoperable, and can be integrated with existing back-end processes. Keep Reading
USCIS Reverts to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test
USCIS determined the 2020 civics test development process, content, testing procedures, and implementation schedule may inadvertently create potential barriers to the naturalization process. Keep Reading
Attorneys And Managers Of Fraudulent Asylum Scheme Charged In Manhattan Federal Court
The charges arise from an investigation into two New York City immigration firms, the Dzhamgarova Firm and Russian America, which helped their respective clients seek visas, asylum, citizenship, and other forms of legal status in the United States. Keep Reading
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
In addition, USCIS will consider a Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, or Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA). Keep Reading
Former USCIS, U.S. Embassy Employees Charged with Stealing Refugee Applicant Info
The theft of USRAP records creates a number of risks to public safety and national security while imposing significant costs on the U.S. government, its taxpayers, and otherwise legitimate refugee applicants negatively impacted by the scheme. Keep Reading
USCIS Suspending Services Jan. 19 and 20 to Ensure Safety of Employees and Applicants
Jan. 20 is Inauguration Day, and Washington, D.C., is heavily locked down due to threats from domestic extremists after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Keep Reading
USCIS Ending Two Categorical Parole Programs
Notice requests public comments on revisions to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document to remove sections relating to the Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) and the Filipino World War II Veterans (FWVP) Parole programs. Keep Reading
USCIS Updates Discretionary Criteria for Case-by-Case Interview Determinations of Adjustment of Status Applications Based on Refugee or Asylee Status
Each determination by USCIS to waive or require an interview will continue to be made at the discretion of the USCIS officer on a case-by-case basis. Keep Reading