Consular Processing vs. Adjustment of Status: What is the Difference?
Editor’s Note (July 2026): This article discusses Adjustment of Status under current USCIS policies, including the agency’s May 2026 memorandum describing adjustment of status as an “extraordinary” form of relief requiring a favorable exercise of discretion. For a detailed discussion of that policy change, see our article “USCIS Reframes Adjustment of Status as Extraordinary Relief.“…
USCIS Resumes Neighborhood Checks for Naturalization Applicants.
Effective August 22, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is resuming personal investigations of aliens applying for naturalization, a policy outlined in their new Policy Memorandum PM-602-0189. This significant change means that the previous general waiver for these investigations is ending, and USCIS will now make decisions on conducting or waiving these checks on…
New USCIS Policy: Understanding How “Anti-American Views” Could Impact Your Immigration Case
Navigating U.S. immigration law can be complex, and recent policy updates from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have introduced significant changes, particularly concerning how “anti-American views” can affect your immigration case. Everyone who is seeking U.S. immigration benefits should understand these new guidelines. What’s Changing? Effective immediately for all pending and newly filed requests,…
Navigating Naturalization: What the New Good Moral Character Policy Means for You
Are you thinking about applying to become a U.S. citizen? Naturalization is a profound journey, allowing you to fully participate in American society. A key part of this process is showing that you possess Good Moral Character (GMC). Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy memorandum, effective August 15, 2025, that…
USCIS Changes Policy on the Validity of I-693 Medical Exams
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has updated its rules about the medical exam form used in immigration applications – Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record). What is changing? Starting June 11, 2025, if a civil surgeon signs Form I-693 on or after November 1, 2023, the form is only valid…
Can a Conditional Resident Get a Green Card on a New Basis?
Becoming a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. and getting a green card is a big step for many immigrants. If you get your green card through marriage and your marriage is less than two years old at the time your application is approved, you will first be given conditional permanent resident (CPR) status. Your…
US Immigration Now Checking Social Media for Antisemitic Content
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that starting in April 2025, U.S. immigration officials will begin reviewing the social media accounts of certain applicants for U.S. immigration benefits. The stated goal of USCIS is to screen for antisemitic content or links to “terrorist” groups. What’s Changing?The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services…
USCIS Requires I-693 Medical Exam Form to Be Submitted with Green Card Applications
USCIS has announced that it now requires some applicants applying for adjustment of status (Form I-485) to also file a completed Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) with their application for adjustment of status. If you do not include a completed I-693 with your I-485, then USCIS may reject your entire…
New Interview Process for Certain I-360 VAWA Petitioners
In November of 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would implement a new interview requirement for certain Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners who have both a pending I-360 and I-485 application. What are the Key Changes? Important Considerations? Why did USCIS make this Change to the Interview Process? USCIS emphasizes…
USCIS Announces that Applicants for Adjustment of Status no longer need to prove that they have received the COVID-19 Vaccination
On January 22, 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service announced a new policy that it will waive the requirement that applicants for adjustment of status (Form I-485) present proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccination on their I-693 Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. USCIS further confirmed that from and…
