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…
USCIS Announces 36-Month Extension for Green Card Renewals
Starting on September 10, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend the validity of Green Cards (Permanent Resident Cards) to 36 months for all lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90 to replace their Green Card. If you file Form I-90 correctly to renew an expiring or expired Green Card, you will…
DHS Extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela
On July 11, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had extended the designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months. This designation of TPS will allow eligible nationals from Venezuela to apply for an extension of their protected status and also apply for a (optional)…
New USCIS Rule extends certain Employment Authorization Documents by up to 540 Days
On May 4, 2022, USCIS announced that it would automatically extend certain Employment Authorization Documents (work permits) from 180 days to 540 days in order to address severe delays in processing the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The eligibility requirements for the new rule are: The individual must have already been issued a work…
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 announces additional extension of time to respond to certain Agency Requests
USCIS again announced that in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic it would extend (for the fourth 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 30, 2020. This…
The End of the Trump-era Public Charge Rule
Its official! The Trump-era Public Charge Rule has found its way to the dust bin of history. Acting on a joint request from the Biden Administration (which refused to defend the policies in court) and the Plaintiff that was challenging the Rule, on March 9, 2021 the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a case that was…
