USCIS Takes Bold Action to Reduce Processing Backlogs, Expand Premium Processing, and Improve Access to Work Permits
On March 29, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced efforts to reduce processing backlogs, expand Premium Processing for certain applications and petitions, and to improve access to work permits through streamlined processing and extending validity periods. Overall, the goal of these actions is to increase efficiency and reduce burdens on the legal immigration…
DHS designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
On March 3, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months. This designation of TPS will allow eligible nationals from Ukraine to apply for protected status and also to apply for a work permit (which is optional). What are…
New USCIS Policy allows certain applicants to obtain Employment Authorization Documents that will be valid for 2 years
On February 7, 2022, USCIS updated its General Guidelines on the Maximum Validity Periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), or work permits, for certain filing categories. This guidance allows eligible applicants to obtain EADs that will be valid for 2 years when they file initial or renewal EAD applications (filed on Form I-765). Before this…
New USCIS Policy Guidance provides more favorable interpretation of shared residence requirement for VAWA Petitioners.
On February 10, 2022, USCIS issued a Policy Guidance alert addressing certain changes to its interpretation of the shared residence requirement for petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Specifically, USCIS will no longer require VAWA petitioners to currently reside or to have resided in the past with his or her abusive spouse during…
USCIS Extends Flexibility Measures for responding to certain Requests
On December 30, 2021, USCIS announced that in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic it would extend (for the sixth time) additional flexibility measures and grant additional time to certain applicants, petitioners, and requestors who were responding to certain agency requests. This extension is a continuation of the original extension that USCIS announced on March…
Applicants for U.S. Permanent Residence must now provide proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19
Under a new regulation that goes into effect on October 1, 2021, all applicants for U.S. permanent residence (green cards) must prove that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. In most cases, applicants who file for adjustment of status (Form I-485) in the U.S. or who file an immigrant visa application with the U.S. Department…
DHS designates Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had designated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months, from August 3, 2021 through February 3, 2023. This designation of TPS will allow eligible nationals from Haiti to apply for protected status and also to apply…
What is my “Eligibility Category” on my i-765 Application for Employment Authorization?
A common question that many people seem to have when they are completing their I-765 Application for Employment Authorization is: What is my “Eligibility Category?” This question is found on item 27 (page 3) of the current I-765 Application (Edition date 08/25/20). In order to appreciate the answer to this question, it is important that…
Once again … USCIS announces additional extension of time to respond to certain Agency Requests
On June 24, 2021, USCIS announced that in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic it would extend (for the fifth time) additional flexibility measures and grant additional time to certain applicants, petitioners, and requestors who were responding to certain agency requests. This extension is a continuation of the original extension that USCIS announced on March…
USCIS Update to the Nunc Pro Tunc Asylum Filing Procedure
Updated September 2026 In a previous article about nunc pro tunc asylum procedures, I discussed how the nunc pro tunc asylum process may provide certain derivative asylees with a way to obtain asylum in their own right after they have lost the qualifying relationship with the principal asylee. This issue can arise, for example, when…
