Important Changes to Asylum Procedures and Requirements Announced by U.S. Asylum Office
The U.S. Asylum Office has announced a number of important changes to asylum procedures, forms and other requirements, including: New Form I-589 EditionUSCIS published a new edition of Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, dated 03/01/23. Starting July 31, 2023, USCIS will accept only the 03/01/23 edition of the form. Until […]
USCIS Removes “60-Day Rule” for Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to remove the requirement that the civil surgeon’s signature on the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) be dated no more than 60 days before an applicant files the application for the underlying immigration benefit. […]
Extension and Redesignation of Somalia for TPS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the extension and redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from March 18, 2023 through Sept. 17, 2024. Individuals who were already residing in the United States as of Jan. 11, 2023, will be eligible for TPS under Somalia’s redesignation if they also meet […]
DHS Implements New Processes for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans and Eliminates Cap for Venezuelans
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a safe and lawful way for qualifying Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans with U.S.-based supporters to travel by air to and temporarily reside in the United States. Individuals arriving under this new process may also apply for work authorization. DHS also announced elimination of the numerical cap […]
DHS Extends TPS for Yemen
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the extension of the designation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on March 4, 2023, through September 3, 2024. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through September 3, 2024, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility […]
USCIS Announces Start to Ethiopia TPS Application Period
The registration process begins on Dec. 12, 2022 for all individuals who want to request TPS under the designation of Ethiopia. To be eligible for TPS under Ethiopia’s designation, individuals must demonstrate their continuous residence in the United States since Oct. 20, 2022, and continuous physical presence in the United States since Dec. 12, 2022. Individuals […]
USCIS to Automatically Extend Green Cards for Naturalization Applicants
Effective Dec. 12, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (commonly called Green Cards) for lawful permanent residents who have applied for naturalization. This is expected to help naturalization applicants who experience longer processing times, because they will receive an extension of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status […]
Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Haiti
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months from Feb. 4, 2023, through Aug. 3, 2024. Those individuals who have already been residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, will be eligible for TPS under Haiti’s redesignation. Haitians […]
TPS Extended for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Haiti and Sudan
On Nov. 10, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the continuation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and certain related documents for beneficiaries under the TPS designations that remain subject to the court orders in the Ramos et al. v. Nielsen and Bhattarai et al. v. Nielsen et al. lawsuits. TPS beneficiaries under the designations for El Salvador, Honduras, […]
ACICS Loss of Recognition May Affect Certain Students Applying for English Language Study and 24-month STEM OPT Extension Programs, H-1B, and I-140 Applicants
On Aug. 19, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination immediately affects two immigration-related student programs: English language study programs, as the programs are required to be accredited under the Accreditation of English Language Training Programs Act; and […]