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;...
Topic: Immigration Updates
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...
New HART Center to Focus on Humanitarian Cases
On March 30, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the opening of the virtual Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center, the sixth service center within its Service Center Operations...
USCIS Updates Policy on Timeframes for Paper-Based Filings/Responses
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated policy guidance to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. In these situations, effective immediately,...
DOS to Allow J-1 Sponsors to Digitally Sign Form DS-2019 and Submit It Electronically
Effective April 27, 2023, a Department of State (DOS) interim rule will give J-1 sponsors two new options: using digital signature software to sign Certificates of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Form DS-2019), and transmitting the form electronically....
DOS Eliminates Separate Column for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras in Visa Bulletin Employment-Based Charts
As announced in its April Visa Bulletin, the Department of State (DOS) is no longer including a separate column covering applicants chargeable to El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras in the charts titled, "Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases" and...
DOS to Raise Most Consular Service Fees
Effective May 30, 2023, a Department of State (DOS) final rule raises most consular service fees, although the fee increases are smaller than those proposed in the notice of proposed rulemaking due to revised projections for fiscal year (FY) 2022-2024 demand, DOS...
