USCIS has announced that on December 12, 2022, it will publish a Federal Register notice explaining the registration process for Temporary Protected Status by Ethiopian nationals in the U.S. who meet certain conditions. This TPS designation of Ethiopia allows nationals of Ethiopia (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) who have continuously resided in the...
Update July 7, 2022 USCIS has informed the public that some applicants may have received incorrect receipt notices showing the outdated 180-day automatic extension instead of the current 540-day automatic extension. The incorrect receipt notices were issued between May 4, 2022 and June 2, 2022. Affected applicants should be receiving the correct notices by the third week of July. Sample...
On April 12, 2022, USCIS announced that individuals who have been granted deferred action under DACA may file Form I-821D, Form I-765 (EAD), and Form I-765 worksheet online.
Update 10/20/2022 On 10/20/2022, USCIS extended this flexibility. If you're a healthcare/childcare worker and have a pending I-765 that has been pending for over 90 days, you may request expedited processing. See below for definitions of a healthcare/childcare worker. Original Post 12/28/2021 On December 28, 2021, USCIS issued guidance allowing healthcare workers to request expedited processing...
Update May 12, 2022 On Nov. 12, 2021, USCIS issued a policy announcement to clarify that it will consider E and L spouses to be employment authorized based on their valid E or L nonimmigrant status. Since the November 2021 announcement, the Department of Homeland Security added new Class of Admission (COA) codes to distinguish between E and L spouses and children. As of Jan. 30, 2022, USCIS and...
Update Post January 26, 2023 On Jan. 26, 2023, President Biden announced the extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Hong Kong residents for 2 years. Eligible Hong Kong residents include those who have arrived in the United States since Aug. 2021, as well as those who were covered under the initial decision. Eligible residents may also apply for EAD. Original Post October...
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 June 9, 2021, USCIS issued policy updates to improve the immigration system. Improvements are expected to continue under the Biden administration. USCIS is committed to modernizing the immigration system and operating it in a fair, efficient, and humane manner. Expedited Processing USCIS provided further guidance on when expedited processing may be warranted. Please see our post regarding...
DHS will suspend certain requirements governing employment for Burmese F-1 students. This will provide relief to citizens of Burma who are lawful F–1 nonimmigrant students so that they may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F–1 nonimmigrant student status. F–1 nonimmigrant...
On May 3, 2021, USCIS announced that it will suspend biometrics requirement for individuals filing Form I-539 to request an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2 and certain E nonimmigrants. The declaration was made in response to a lawsuit (Edakunni v. Mayorkas) challenging tH-4 and L-2 adjudication delays. The biometrics suspension will apply to the H-4, L-2, and E-1, E-2,...
