U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on March 23, 2022, that it has updated its policy manual, effective immediately, to align existing guidance on certain first preference immigrants with a recent manual update relating to nonimmigrants of...
Topic: Immigration Updates
DHS, DOJ Issue Interim Final Rule to ‘Improve and Expedite’ Asylum Claims Processing for Noncitizens Subject to Expedited Removal
On March 24, 2022, the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice announced an interim final rule to "improve and expedite processing of asylum claims made by noncitizens subject to expedited removal, ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted...
Biden Administration Announces Relief Measures for Ukrainians
On March 24, 2022, President Biden announced that the United States will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians and other displaced people fleeing the Russian invasion in Ukraine, in addition to providing an additional $1 billion in humanitarian aid. "This is not something...
CBP Announces Electronic I-94 Issuance at Land Ports of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is now issuing the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) electronically at land ports of entry. The Form I-94 documents nonimmigrants’ status in the United States, the approved length of stay, and departure information. CBP has...
USCIS Updates Guidance on Employment Authorization for E and L Nonimmigrant Spouses
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on March 18, 2022, that it is updating guidance to address the documentation that certain E and L nonimmigrant spouses may use as evidence of employment authorization based on their nonimmigrant status. USCIS...
USCIS Issues Asylum-Based EAD Update Following Decision re Rosario Class Action
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on March 17, 2022, that those who applied for initial employment authorization documents (EADs) based on a pending asylum application may be eligible to have their EADs processed within 30 days, based on a...
DHS Designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status
On March 16, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Afghanistan for temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months, effective on the publication date of a forthcoming Federal Register notice. Only those who were already residing...
USCIS Prepares to Resume Public Services on June 4
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on March 15, 2022, that it is preparing some domestic offices to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or after June 4, 2022. USCIS said it is following the Centers for Disease Control and...
State Dept. Warns About Upcoming Availability of Employment Third Preference “Other Workers” Numbers
The Department of State (DOS) notes in its Visa Bulletin for April 2022 that high number use in the employment third preference "Other Workers" (EW) category may necessitate the establishment of a worldwide final action date as early as June to hold number use within...
USCIS Urges Eligible Individuals to Consider Applying for Adjustment in the E-2 Category Based on April Visa Bulletin Date for Filing for India
The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for April 2022 advances the date for filing applications for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status in the EB-2 category for India from September 1, 2013, to September 1, 2014. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services...
