On July 19, 2021, DHS announced the re-designation and extension of Somalia for TPS. The extension of TPS for Somalia allows approximately 447 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 17, 2023, so long as they meet TPS eligibility requirements. The re-designation of Somalia for TPS also allows an estimated 100 additional Somali nationals (or individuals having no nationality who...
On June 14, 2021, USCIS updated its policy manual to allow eligible U visa petitioners (victims of crime in the United States) access to employment authorization sooner. Currently, U visa petitioners are waiting approximately five years before receiving a determination that allows them access to an employment authorization document and grant of deferred action. Through this new process, USCIS...
On May 22, 2021, DHS announced the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. In laying down the basis for TPS, Secretary Mayorkas stated the following: “Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19...
On May 11, 2021, USCIS announced that Biometric Services Appointment may now be re-scheduled by calling the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283). Applicants must establish good cause for rescheduling and must call before the date and time of their original appointment to reschedule. It seems applicants may still reschedule by mailing back the biometrics notice with the box checked for...
Update May 4, 2021 Since January of last year, we have seen an uptick in typos and errors on official notices. We've caught errors almost every month which suggests the trend will continue. Errors include name misspellings, wrong priority date, wrong DOB, missing A#, and wrong EB category (EB1 instead of EB2). We will create a new post to track these ongoing errors. It is important to look at...
On March 18, 2021, DHS announced re-designation and extension of Syria for TPS. This means that current beneficiaries may extend their TPS until September 30, 2022 while first-time applicants may now apply if they had missed the previous registration period. Current beneficiaries Current beneficiaries will be eligible to re-register for an extension of their status and have employment...
Update: September 26, 2022 DHS is extending the designation of Burma For TPS for 18 months, from 11/26/22 through 05/25/24. Current beneficiaries re-registering under the extension of TPS for Burma must re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day re-registration period from Sept. 27, 2022, through Nov. 26, 2022, to ensure they keep their TPS and work authorization without a gap. DHS...
Update: March 17, 2021 USICS issued the following clarifications in light of inconsistencies that were discovered on Form I-821 instructions and the Federal Register Notice Mailing Zip Code Correction The zip code listed in the Federal Register was incorrect. The correct USPS filing addresses are located in the “Where to File” dropdown box on the TPS-Venezuela page on USCIS.gov. Biometrics...
ICE announces the creation of case review process for those who believe their case was not properly considered under the current enforcement priorities. Details about the current enforcement priorities are shown below. Individuals requesting a detention case review should contact their local ERO field office for initial consideration. Upon request, cases will be further reviewed by a Senior...
In order to pursue adjustment of status and become a lawful permanent resident (LPR), an applicant must in addition to meeting other requirements have been properly "inspected and admitted or paroled" into the United Sates. Otherwise, the applicant cannot apply for Green Card inside the U.S. A TPS recipient have lawful status in the U.S. given the TPS designation but oftentimes they obtained TPS...
