U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a new online change-of-address form for noncitizens. The new form gives noncitizens the option to update their address online in addition to the existing options of doing so by phone or in person at a field...
Topic: Immigration Updates
Visa Bulletin for May Predicts Further Retrogressions in Some Employment-Based Categories
The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for May 2023 includes a variety of updates: Retrogression is likely in the final action dates for China and India in EB-1 visa number availability in the coming months. EB-2 final action dates for the Rest of World, Mexico, and...
OFLC Reconsiders Denials Based on Question H.10-B ‘Acceptable Alternate Occupation Title’ on ETA-9089
The Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) posted an announcement on April 14, 2023, regarding recent permanent labor certification applications that were denied where the employer did not explicitly answer the question in field H.10-B of...
Employers May File H-2B Petitions for Late Second Half of FY 2023
On April 13, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting petitions for workers for the late second half of fiscal year (FY) 2023—those requesting employment start dates from May 15, 2023, to September 30, 2023—under the H-2B supplemental...
U.S. District Court Finds CBP Violated Rights of Pastor Ministering to Migrants
A U.S. district court ruled that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) violated the rights of an ordained senior pastor, Rev. Kaji Dousa, a U.S. citizen, who was providing pastoral support and conducting rituals for migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border, including...
DHS Announces Six New Subcommittees for Homeland Security Advisory Council
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced six new subcommittees for its Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). HSAC comprises leaders in local law enforcement; first responders; state, local and tribal governments; national policy; the private sector;...
USCIS Is Accepting Self-Identified Gender Markers for Immigration Benefits
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it is accepting a self-identified gender marker for individuals requesting immigration benefits. The gender marker they select does not need to match the gender marker indicated on their...
USCIS Allows Additional 30 Days for Comments on Revisions to Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is allowing an additional 30 days, until May 5, 2023, for comments on revisions to Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. USCIS said it may consider recommendations made in...
DOS Publishes Notice on Ukrainian J-1 Student Relief
Under the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, the Department of State's (DOS) Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs published a notice on April 5, 2023, waiving and modifying certain regulatory requirements with respect to a temporary educational...
USCIS To Propose ‘Frontlog’ Rule To Eliminate Backlogs
As part of its modernization program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 1, 2023, that it plans to propose a "Frontlog Rule" soon to eliminate and reverse backlogs, which have led to backbiting, backlashing, and backtracking. The plan...
